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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Chicken Broil funds replace equipment

Accidental fire burns up organization's plans to offer group donations

By Daniel Lai, Editor

PUBLISHED: May 1, 2008

Despite a long list of community groups seeking financial help from this year's Manchester Chicken Broil, committee officials announced all proceeds from the event will go toward repairing and purchasing new equipment for the broil.

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According to Chicken Broil co-chairman Bob Rhees, the decision was essential to ensure the future of Manchester's famous fundraiser.

"The trailer that housed most of our equipment burned up last year after a Consumer's Energy power line fell on an adjacent trailer and started a fire," he said. "We lost a lot of equipment that we need to replace."

Rhees said all the conveyers, tables, serving stands, wheel barrels and fans were burned in the fire.

"Right now we're hoping to replenish as much as we can," he said. "We're optimistic that we will be ready by the time the Chicken Broil rolls around."

Rhees said this year the group has been approached by the Manchester Middle School to fund new outside tables in the school courtyard and the Manchester High School Band for new uniforms. In the past, community groups including the Barn Raisers and Community Resource Center were among recipients of the event proceeds.

"We just don't know if we will have the money to give this year," he said. "We would like to, but this is costing us a lot."

Although the trailer was insured, Rhees said it was only covered with liability insurance.

"We're hoping we can get Consumer's Energy to pay something for the damages," he said. "In the meantime, we'll have to go forward and pay for the equipment ourselves."

Rhees said the new equipment will hopefully help volunteers churn out some 12,000 chicken dinners to hungry patrons quicker than in the past.

"I think we'll be good for many years to come," he said. "We just hope the crowds keep coming back for more."

The 55th annual Chicken Broil will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. July 17 at Alumni Memorial Field.

Editor Daniel Lai can be reached at 428-8173 or dlai@heritage.com.