The King’s Home Shelby Auxiliary presented a donation of $25,000 to King’s Home President Lew Burdette at the group’s Christmas luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

The funds were generated by the Auxiliary’s second Pumpkin Bash event on Oct. 28 at the pavilion at Indian Springs Village Town Hall.

The Pumpkin Bash is a chili cook-off, said Janie Dollar with King’s Home Shelby Auxiliary.

Entrants have their chili judged, and attendees purchase tickets and then help themselves to the food.

A silent auction was also staged as part of the event.

The Pumpkin Bash was held for the first time last year at the home of an Auxiliary member and changed locations this year as the event’s popularity grows.

“It was back by popular demand because everybody had such a good time,” Dollar said.

This year, a band from Asbury United Methodist Church performed.

“They were really good,” Dollar said. “We were quite impressed.”

The Pumpkin Bash was chiefly coordinated by Auxiliary member Anne Bishop.

Dollar said the Auxiliary turns over the money collected at fundraisers to the King’s Home as soon as possible afterward.

The group’s largest fundraiser is Tablescapes, which is next scheduled for April 17, 2019, at Metro Church of God—but the Pumpkin Bash is quickly becoming a staple.

“They’re both a lot of work, but they’re fun,” Dollar said.

In addition to the $25,000 donation, the Auxiliary also collected money at the Christmas luncheon to help purchase new blinds for King’s Home.