Saturday, November 14, 2026
The Marco Island Fire/Rescue Foundation held their biggest and best chili cook-off in ten years this past Saturday. The Foundation was created in 2007 to assist members of the local Fire/Rescue Department as well as family members should they be affected by illness, injuries or other issues in times of need. The Foundation also assists department and family members with scholarships as they seek to improve their educational opportunities.
Firefighter Jerry Adams was one such member of the department which benefited from the
Foundation’s purpose, as he had battled cancer for a number of years and had served as a great mentor to younger department members.
There are many threats to today’s fire service professionals, including heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and many as well as stress related issues. Unfortunately, Workman’s Compensation Insurance may not cover all of those potential threats, which may quickly put a strain on family finances. This is where the Foundation steps in to assist.
The event Saturday had record crowds for the Foundation. “I have to believe this is probably the largest event we’ve had. The folks have just been so generous. I think they were just looking for a great time,” said Barb Murphy who chaired the committee which arranged the day’s activities.
Attendees were entertained by the local popular group “Florida Straits,” as they played throughout the event while they enjoyed the music and sampled delicious chili creations. In all there were 20 local chefs who represented various organizations competing for the votes of those in attendance.
Once the chili was enjoyed, and the voting completed, the following were recognized by the judges.
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