Firefighters Take to the Kitchen to Raise Funds for the Cornerstone Foundation

Firefighters from the Vernon, Crystal Lake and Tolland departments took to the kitchen on Thursday in an effort to raise money for the Cornerstone Foundation.

The event, dubbed "Cornerstone's on Fire," was a soup buffet that featured a raffle and auction to benefit the foundation's soup kitchen, clothing bank, homeless shelter and youth center.

Cornerstone is located on Prospect Street in the Rockville section of Vernon. The event was coordinated by the Rotary Club of Rockville. Students from South Windsor High School and Rockville High School volunteered to help out at the raffle, auction and food stations.

Music was provided by Grass Routes and Paul Sheridan served as the master of ceremonies.

Event coordinator Risa Filkoff said the goal was to raise $10,000.

There was also the matter of the soup competition among the fire departments. The menu was:

• Vernon 541 - chili turkey.
• Vernon 241 - baked potato.
• Vernon 641 - beef vegetable.
• Vernon 441 - beef stew.
• Crystal Lake - cheeseburger chowder.
• Tolland - cream of broccoli chowder.

The people's choice award went to Crystal Lake, which received a trophy to bring back to Ellington.

A trophy will also be going to Tolland, which won the chef's choice award.