About 450 people attended the 1st Alarm Chil Cook-off and BBQ, a fundraiser for the Woodside-Portola Valley Fire Protection Foundation, held recently at Runnymede Sculpture Farm in Woodside, said Jessica Lonergan, a foundation board member.

The foundation's Fund-a-Need Challenge raised funds for an emergency response vehicle designed for off-road rescues in parks and on trails, she said. "The vehicle will provide faster response and recovery and enhanced victim care and stabilization," she added.

The team of firefighter/paramedics from the Woodside Fire Protection District won the chili cook-off competition by a vote of the attendees. "Competing chili by teams from the Village Pub (a spicy curry rendition), Alice's Restaurant (which included pretty much whatever you wanted), and Round Table Pizza rounded out the competition," Ms. Lonergan said.

Sponsors and underwriters included Bianchini's Market, W.L. Butler Construction, Ginny and Joe Kavanaugh of Coldwell Banker, Adolph S. Rosekrans, Inc. Architects, the Andrighetto Family, the Putterman Family, The Signworks , A-1 Party Rental and Events Center, Woodside Hotels and Resorts, Wastech, Guy Plumbing and Heating, Woodside Bakery, and JLV Insurance Services.

Established in 2009, the Woodside-Portola Valley Fire Protection Foundation works to augment the budget of the fire district for equipment, facilities, fire prevention and training. The foundation's board is made up of community volunteers and fire district staff. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Visit FireDistrictFoundation.org for more information on the foundation.