After skipping a year because of COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Foundation of Washington Country (CFWC) held its annual Chef Spotlight Fundraiser Dinner at Dallmeyer Hall on Washington County Fairgrounds with about 125 in attendance.

This year the meal was prepared by Jerry and Margie Sweeting of Riverside and was served by members of 4-H Clubs of Washington county. Nancy Roth and Kim Bowlin served as kitchen manager and supervised the servers.

Money earned by the 4-H club members will help finance the Washington 4-H livestock judging team, which placed third at the Iowa State Fair, to attend the National Western Livestock show in Denver, CO in January.

CFWC president Don Yoder served as master of ceremonies. Featured speaker was Janelle Johnson, treasurer of Washington Betterment Foundation. She related how that foundation provided $45,000 to help fund projects to better Washington. She related the importance of working with the CFWC was vital to the success of the Washington Betterment Foundation. She noted that the Washington Betterment Foundation has given over $535,000 to help fund projects to better Washington since its inception.

Highlight of the evening was the annual dessert auction with auctioneer Dwight Duwa donating his auctioneering skills to help generate bids in a fun, entertaining manner. Funds raised in the dessert auction were shared by the Community Foundation of Washington and the Washington Betterment Foundation.

Besides President Don Yoder, Kalona, the other board members of the Community Foundation are Cathy Rich, treasurer, Brighton; Millie Youngquist, Washington, executive director; Kirk Leiffert and Tim Sullivan, Kalona; Jeremy Reynolds and Heather Marek, Riverside; Mary Audia, Marty Beenblossom, and RenElla Crawford, Washington.