Combined Community Services Inc. announced its second annual Blue Jeans and BBQ Gala is June 22 at 7 p.m. Three local celebrity chefs will face off in a barbecue challenge at CCS, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw. Dane Miller, of the Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation Inc.; John Tucker, of Maple Leaf; and local celebrity Gordy Clemens will each prepare competition samplings for ticket holders to enjoy. The general public is invited to vote for their favorite celebrity chef by visiting www.combinedcommunityservices.org and clicking to vote. Chef Scott Woods, of Noa Noa Sushi Bar, will provide a “country picnic” buffet again this year for dinner, and the Downtown Eatery and Spirits will provide the cash bar with signature cocktails and beer. This year’s event will also feature a new signature dessert. Up for auction will be some new and seen-before auction items, including a Weber Genesis gas grill sponsored by Ace Hardware of Warsaw and Rockhill Pinnick LLP; custom cornhole set; a pub crawl experience including the Downtown, the Beer Garden at Cerulean, and others in addition to transportation provided by Fast Cabs/White Diamond; “Lunch with the Mayor”; and others. This year’s silent auction also will offer cowboy hats personally designed by Mary Louise Miller and Indiana’s First Lady, Karen Pence, and a fresh vegetable share from J.L. Hawkins Family Farm. The event will also feature the Bekah Bradley Band with pop country recording artist Bekah Bradley. Parking for the event is available at Harrison Elementary School and shuttle service will be provided to the venue. This year a few details have been added to make the evening a better experience. In addition to bringing back great food, auction items, the barbecue challenge and a great cause, the evening also will offer cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, the live auction, and the opportunity to purchase special spice mixes used by the chefs in the competition provided by The Spice Merchant in The Village at Winona Lake. This is an example of community vendors working together to support CCS. Grace Whalen, Whalen Creative Group, is coordinating the event. All proceeds from the event will support CCS in its mission to provide comfort, hope and resources for neighbors in need. For more information on the offerings June 22 at the Blue Jeans and BBQ Gala for CCS, visit combinedcommunityservices.org or visit CCS on Facebook. Voting is now open online for your favorite celebrity chef. Tickets are $50 and can be ordered online, by mail or by visiting CCS, 1195 Mariners Drive, Warsaw, or by calling 574-269-6019, Ext. 229.
