Cook Off For A Cause

The 32nd annual Padre's Cookoff Fundraiser occurred last weekend where more than 600 firefighters from across the country competed for who had the best chili.  1500 event attendees chowed down on the chili and judges voted for who would win the coveted prize.  The event was a fundraiser and raised money for research and foundations centered around muscular dystrophy.

Brothers Bobby and Daniel Collins both have muscular dystrophy and have vowed to continue growing “tails” in their hair until a cure is found.

The Collinses attended the 32nd annual Padres tailgate party and firefighter chili cook-off Saturday at Embarcadero Park. More than 600 firefighters from around the county competed for the title of best chili in the event, a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties.

For $35, about 1,500 eventgoers filled up on all they could eat and drink. Awards were given for judges’ choice and people’s choice for best chili, top fundraising group and best decorated booth. 

“With the money raised, we fund research, we fund our own clinic and we send about 80 kids to MDA summer camp every summer,” said Angel Chanchea, executive director of the local MDA.

Bobby Collins, 23, was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with duchenne, one of several forms of muscular dystrophy, a group of inherited disorders that involve muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue. Daniel, 20, was diagnosed when he was a year old. Both use a wheelchair.

They have been growing their hair out for 17 years and each have a foot-long “tail” that their mother Starla Collins braids for them. “Events like this give us hope that a cure will be found,” she said. “I really want to cut the braids.

Michelle Vasile attended the event with her family, including her San Marcos firefighter son Michael, 34, whose station has competed in the cook off for 12 years and has won at least four of those years. Another son, Cole, 25, was diagnosed with duchenne at 5.

“When you have people that are so caring, it helps cope with the disease and makes it a little bit easier to bear,” Vasile said of the event. “And Cole has a blast. He feels like he’s one of the guys.” 

Get more information on the fundraiser at UT San Diego.