'Grill Your ACE Off' takes place Saturday, Aug. 12

You've heard the term voting with your wallet, right?

Generally this is associated with the barometer of success - or failure - that a business uses when it comes to customer spending habits.

But for Cheney's Jarms' ACE Hardware, and the Children's Miracle Network, the hope is customers will vote often with their billfold at this Saturday's "Grillin' Your ACE Off" CMN fundraiser.

The annual event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 in the store's parking lot, but this time there is an entirely new look.

This year we're going to do a barbecue and chili cook off," the store's assistant manager, Tawny Adams, said. "Last year we had a little bit of a barbecue here and there, this year it's going to be more of a contest."

The difference is that there will be no judges but every booth with food receives a bucket. Votes will be determined first with taste buds and then donations. The winner will be determined by the one who receives the most donations.

Among the entrants is the Traeger company and not just any one from the company either. They are sending their person who cooks and writes about the craft of using their equipment for grilling and smoking.

Another entry is the Cheney American Legion who will be competing. A local family that has benefited in the past will also be taking part in the event as contestants, helping others as they have been in the past.

Another way to bump up the donations is through a dunk tank, staffed by members of the Cheney Police Department. "A $1 a ball to dunk a cop," Adams said.

One additional fundraiser will be a raffle that includes a chance at winning the $600 Traeger grill, and other prizes like a Stihl chainsaw and more.

"We have so many great prizes and every dime goes to the hospital," Adams said. Yoke's Fresh Market next door is donating the meat.

The raffle starts at 2 p.m. and entrants must be present to win. Tickets will sell for $5 each or five for $20.

"Last year we only did $2,000," Adams said. They hope to be at $5,000 after the end of the event."That's what we're hoping for but anything that will beat last years so we can get bigger and better," she added.

CMN monies from Saturday go to help Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.

As of press time there were three entries in the cook off, but Adams is accepting contestants until Friday, Aug. 11. She will begin mapping out where the entrants will be located. "I don't want everybody out in Timbuktu, I want everyone to stay nice and snug," she said.

Adams can be reached at (509) 235-4410 or tawny@jarmshardware.com.

There will be a number of other activities for the family along with the barbecue. Jarms will also be conducting its bucket sale, too with all items that fit in the bucket are 20 percent off.

Adams has 10 pop-up shelters with four spoken for so she has room for six more. To help with the heat, "I'm gonna' have some big fans going," Adams added.

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.