Serving Up Support: United Way Chef’s Night Out to Benefit Boys and Girls Club

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A new partnership has formed in Lewis County to help end the cycle of intergenerational poverty in local communities by tackling the root causes of the problem.

One of the first steps will be for local chefs to serve up some of their favorites at a staple event for the United Way of Lewis county. 

At this year’s Chef’s Night Out event, United Way is teaming up with the Boys and Girls Club of Chehalis to begin the fundraising efforts for the fledgling club. 

After extensive community conversations aimed at eliminating the barriers of those living in poverty, the board of directors of United Way of Lewis County determined the Boys and Girls Club has the same goal. 

“With a proven track record for improving graduation rates and providing life-changing experiences for youth in a fun and safe environment, the mission of the Boys and Girls Club directly aligns with the current work of United Way of Lewis County,” stated a press release. 

In February, those working toward the goal of establishing the club announced their plans to open the doors by the end of 2016. 

Garth Haakenson, CEO of Pacific Mobile Structures, shared his vision of the club with United Way, and the organization’s board later voted to support the program. 

The club has to raise approximately $450,000 to cover the first two and a half years of operational costs. 

To help it reach its goal, United Way of Lewis County will highlight the new community program as the Fund-A-Need beneficiary during the live auction at the event.

This will be the first year United Way has partnered with a specific organization to help fundraise. 

Donations have already been made to support the program. Locally-owned Security State Bank gave a $25,000 gift as this year’s Fund-A-Need Kickoff Donor. 



“We believe in moving the needle here in Lewis County and support United Way’s efforts in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty,” bank President Dwayne Aberle said. “A Boys and Girls Club program in our community is a benefit for all of us, providing opportunities for children to build successful lives.”

The remainder of the proceeds raised outside of the live auction will go into the United Way’s general fund to assist other agencies with financial needs. Many of the organizations funded place an emphasis on breaking the cycle of poverty, Executive Director Debbie Campbell said. 

As the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, Chef’s Night Out brought in more than $50,000 last year. 

United Way’s Resource Development Director Angela French said the event provides an opportune time for local chefs to showcase the area’s culinary talent.

“We’ve got some great local restaurants and chefs that sometimes go unseen or people aren’t familiar with what we’ve got here, so this event really gives us a chance to partner with local businesses and restaurants,” she said.

A top chef competition will be held, and those at the event will be able to vote for their favorite appetizers, igniting friendly competition among the cooks. 

Along with the partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Chehalis, new this year the event will feature a roaring ’20s theme based on The Great Gatsby. 

“I think every year Angela and her committee really try to kick it up and do something different,” Campbell said. 

“We really try to put a different kind of spin and flavor on this.”