The Rotary Club of West Chester presented a total of $32,000 in grant awards to 11 Chester County non-profit charities at its awards ceremony at the West Chester Golf and Country Club. This year 31 requests were submitted by Chester County charitable organization, totaling over $150,000.

One of the grateful recipients was the Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children, an organization which aids homeless or near homeless families to help stabilize their lives through finding or maintain permanent housing.

“We are so pleased to be a recipient of one of the community grants,” said Friends Association’s executive director, Catherine Friedman. “The Rotary Club of West Chester does so much to keep our community healthy and thriving and we are thankful to be able to partner with them. This grant will go a long way toward helping us to achieve our mission of preventing and ending homelessness for families in Chester County!”

Funds for the grants were collected through the Rotary’s 13th annual West Chester Chili Cook Off which is held every October, in the Borough of West Chester. This year more than 70 chili cooks took part in the street festival which is attracting more and more chili lovers each year. With the festival serving nearly 10,000 people this time around, fans can already look forward to the next Chili Cook Off which will take place on October 9, 2016, with more details available soon on the event’s webpage.

For an upcoming event this year, the Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children will hold its West Chester Charity Ball on Saturday, December 5, with Kim Alexis, Model & TV host as the master of ceremonies. This event will also celebrate 27 years of the organizations caring participation in the community.