BRAZOS COUNTY, TX — Throughout the years, Chilifest has been a staple in the Brazos Valley.
As a successful two day music festival, all of the proceeds go back into the Bryan College Station communities.
"They have been a huge supporter of the Boys & Girls Club for years," explains Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of the Brazos Valley, Tiffany Parker. "We are well over a quarter million dollars in contributions from Chilifest since they started doing what they do."
Over the last two decades Chilifest has donated well over 3 million dollars to the Brazos Valley and surrounding areas helping local charities continue to serve their communities, like Coach Blair Charities.
"Somewhere in between $10,000 to $15,000 a year they give to our charity," explains Gary Blair, Head Coach of Texas A&M's Women's Basketball Team. "And there we benefit the local teams that can fo to their state wide competition and we take care of all three teams in Bryan College Station here."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chilifest had to make the difficult decision of canceling this year's festival leaving organizations like the Boys & Girls Club without funding for annual projects.
"With the Chilifest dollars not coming in this year, we will notice a difference in our bottom line, but because we've been doing this for a long time we're going to have to make some adjustments," explains Parker. "The programs will still happen, they just may not be as big in some areas."
The cancellation of Chilifest is just another loss added to the affects of the coronavirus, but it's times like this the Brazos Valley stronger together explains Coach Blair.
"It impacts all charities right now but this is the most giving community I have ever been associated with. I am a Rotarian, ok? We are going to continue to give back to this community whenever this virus end right now or slows down."
According to Chilifest, they are already looking forward to next year and are in constant communication with its sponsors and local charities.
