OneEighty chefs craft a delectable fundraiser in Millersburg

If anyone left the Friends of OneEighty's Night of 180 Dinners fundraiser at Millersburg Methodist Church April 25 hungry, it was nobody’s fault but their own.

With two dozen community volunteer “chefs” bringing their own food creations to the dinner table, there was more than enough available to those who attended.

For $25 a plate, patrons could visit each of the two dozen stations and sample to their hearts' delight, and what a delight it was, with everything from appetizers to main dishes, snack foods and desserts.

Most importantly, all the proceeds went to benefit OneEighty in this fundraiser that comes along every other year.

“It’s so neat and humbling to see all of our volunteer chefs come in to support our agency and our mission,” said Tina Zickefoose, advocate/outreach specialist with OneEighty. “We never tell them what to bring. They just bring their favorites, and every year we have this incredibly delicious variety of food that knocks it out of the park.”

Zickefoose said OneEighty couldn’t do what it does without the support of the community, and they are appreciative of both the chefs and those who turned out to feast and support the cause.

Bobbi Douglass, outgoing OneEighty executive director, who has served in that capacity for four decades, agreed, noting all the support and especially all the people sitting together fellowshipping and dining is something special the team at OneEighty will never take for granted.

Hearing all the compliments from diners was especially encouraging as they filled their plates time and again, returning to refill on their favorite dishes.

As for the volunteer chefs, they arrived from every corner of Holmes County to show their support, and they realized what they were offering was far from just some fancy dining.

Bob Porter has been one local person who has been a longstanding chef at this event that began in the early 2000s, joining other longtime chefs including Joel Menuez and Dr. John Vaccariello, who made a special effort to attend this year’s event.

Porter said it is an honor to be invited back time and again.

“Well, when you come here, you get to see all your friends, and even better, you get to try some new and exciting food. There’s some really tasty food here tonight,” Porter said. “But really this is about OneEighty and the incredible work they do in the community. There are people in our community who need help, and I’m honored to be able to be a small part of that effort.”

Ryan Willard was a second-time attendee chef, bringing Caribbean jerked chicken wings to the menu. He said the value OneEighty provides to Holmes County stands for everything this community is about.

“Much of this evening isn’t just fundraising, but spreading awareness of everything OneEighty does for our area,” Willard said.

OneEighty provides counseling, addiction recovery, domestic violence support and other behavioral health services to help individuals and families overcome crisis and build healthier lives.

Over the years it has grown into an organization that has helped heal emotional scars, and its employees have walked with and encouraged many people through their struggles.

Jason Troyer, Holmes County Emergency Management Agency director, said it would be ideal if no county needed the services of an organization like OneEighty, but unfortunately, there is a need because domestic violence and addiction recovery are everywhere and Holmes County isn’t exempt.

“It’s such a wonderful resource for our county to be able to rely on,” Troyer said. “We’re blessed to have it.”

Dr. Brad Welsh has been a chef several times and said seeing so many people showing support for OneEighty is heartwarming. He said there also is a sense of community pride and unity in the evening.

Amy Patterson and Kelly Weiss teamed up to create a sweet treat in chocolate chip cookie pie with a heaping of vanilla ice cream. Patterson said taking on a role as a guest chef is a good way to give back.

A former board member of OneEighty and daughter of Eleanor Runyan, who has been synonymous with OneEighty for several decades, she said the organization's mission is critical.

“Anything we can do to help others in need who are suffering abuse is a good step in the right direction in supporting everything OneEighty does, “Patterson said. “This is an incredible event.”

Millersburg Mayor Kelly Hoffee said OneEighty continues to work with both women in need and young children who struggle through domestic issues.

Getting to try all the different foods is just a bonus for the evening.

Chef Marianne Mader said being involved was humbling because you never know when and where or how close to home domestic violence might take place, whether it's neighbors, friends or those you don’t know but who are facing difficult times.

Each chef helped fill the plates to create a tasty evening for a beautiful cause. For those who attended, two years until the next feeding frenzy can’t come soon enough.

To connect with OneEighty, visit www.one-eighty.org.