Charleston Animal Society 20th Annual Chili Cook-Off Goes Virtual!
Emmy® Winning Brandon McMillan Rolls Up Sleeves for Shelter Animals
Charleston, SC – Charleston Animal Society’s Annual Chili Cook-off has been re-imagined as an online experience so people anywhere can participate this 20th anniversary year! Three-time Emmy® Award winning celebrity dog trainer Brandon McMillan, currently known for his CBS Dream Team role on Lucky Dog®, is leading the pack. Visit www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/ChiliCookOff to join thousands of animal lovers raising money for Toby’s Fund to provide medical care for homeless animals at Charleston Animal Society.
The two hour “virtual chili cook-off” will be streamed on Facebook Live November 21, 2020 and it will include celebrities, chefs, fundraising teams, and heartwarming stories about the lives saved every day at Charleston Animal Society. Brandon McMillan brought his expertise to help shelter dogs at Charleston Animal Society and create four segments that will air as part of the live stream. The Charleston CBS affiliate, Live 5 WCSC, the official television partner, will be simulcasting the chili cook-off on their Facebook page. Between Charleston Animal Society, WCSC and Brandon McMillan, over 1 million fans will have the opportunity to become involved in this unique signature event.
“When the 20th Annual Charleston Animal Society Chili Cook-off had to transform from being an in-person event with thousands of people attending to an online fundraiser, I was honored to help lead the pack,” said Brandon McMillan. “The chili cook-off is Charleston Animal Society’s largest fundraising event of the year and it’s critical to raise funds so they can continue to provide lifesaving services,” McMillan said. McMillan has been a dog trainer to the stars for most of his career. Some of his clients include Ellen DeGeneres, Andy Cohen, Don Cheadle, James Caan, Hugh Hefner, Ronda Rousey, Chris Hardwick, Wolfgang Puck and Kate Hudson.
“What’s brilliant about the virtual chili cook-off is that anyone can sign up to participate by hosting a small group in their homes to make chili and fundraise online,” says Charleston Animal Society President and CEO, Joe Elmore, CFRE, CAWA. Participants can sign up to organize a team or donate to support the chili cook-off by visiting www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/ChiliCookOff. Virtual fundraising recognitions are earned at various milestones and participants can share their efforts and success through their own social media pages. When teams reach larger fundraising goals, their efforts will be recognized as part of the Facebook Live streaming event on November 21st from 5 pm to 7 pm. Elmore continued, “Anything goes when you can participate simply by having chili with friends at home and setting up a fundraising page. From a themed chili-making party to posting videos of your family making their favorite dish, anyone can get involved and help raise funds for the important work of the Animal Society.” Sign up to participate in the chili cook-off now and fundraise right up through the Facebook Live stream event.
“Being involved in the community and supporting local non-profits is important to all of us at Live 5 News,” said Live 5 WCSC Vice President and General Manager Dan Cates. “Charleston Animal Society is a cherished partner of Live 5 News and we are thrilled to partner with the organization to celebrate people and pets while raising needed funds to help homeless pets.” Live 5 News is involved with the virtual chili cook-off as the official television sponsor, asking the community to go online and to sign-up to create a fundraising team or to donate.
In addition to Live 5 WCSC, Palmetto Brewing Company, Michelob Ultra, Husk Restaurant, J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home, Cupcake DownSouth, and The Clark Girls have joined the pack as sponsors for the 20th Annual Chili Cook-off. Sponsorship levels range from the $1,000 Poblano Pepper and the $2,500 Jalapeno Pepper to the $10,000 Habanero Pepper and the $25,000 Caroline Reaper levels. For more information about sponsorships, visit www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/ChiliCookOff or email Sean Hawkins: [email protected].
