Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown raises money for charity

The Fifth Annual Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown held in April raised $250,004 for charity. Michael and Valerie Thompson, founders of the event, recently visited the Children's Volunteer Health Network Mobile Dental Clinic and presented the nonprofit organization with a $16,500 donation. The funds will go toward operating CVHN's two-chair mobile dental clinic, which provides free dental treatment to uninsured children.

The CVHN Mobile Dental Clinic is a 34-foot RV, which has been outfitted as a two-chair dental operatory. The dental bus travels to local schools performing free dental services to children who are enrolled on the free lunch program. More than 2,000 children have been treated on the bus since 2008.  

"The need for these services at our local elementary schools is overwhelming at times,” Zach Billingsley, CVHN's executive director, said. “Our staff does an excellent job in identifying the need and making sure these kids are helped."

 In addition to dental services, CVHN facilitates access to medical and mental healthcare services and has facilitated more than 5,000 appointments since inception in 2005. Billingsley says,

"We are not able to do any of this without the support from our community and we want to thank everyone involved with the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown,” Billingsley said. “We are grateful to be a part of this fantastic event."

The Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown is a barbeque event the Thompsons have held in their Sandestin backyard for the past six years. The Thompsons turned this party into a sold-out charity event this year for six area charities, including CVHN. Five teams consisting of seven prestigious vintners, two famous chefs, and Michael Thompson, cooked ribs and dishes for their 80 guests.  

The event culminated with 12 live auction lots, with 100 percent of the dollars raised distributed to charity.