(Yankton, SD) – Yankton’s chili contestants offered a variety of delicious options at the Horizon Health Foundation Chili Cook-Off held February 20 at the Riverfront Event Center, making choosing the three winners a fun challenge.
The event showcased the Foundation’s Drive It Home ’26 Campaign. Horizon Health Foundation is giving away a 2026 Chevy Trax, with second and third prizes of half a hog and a deep freeze and a $500 gas card for the winner’s local gas station.
Winners in the Spicy, Sweet and Smoky categories of the Horizon Health Foundation Chili Cook-Off were Spicy Winner Levee Street Steak & Lounge, Jeremy Iverson, Spicy Chipotle; Sweet Winner Alex Haberer, Backdraft; and Smoky Winner Girard Electric, Brandon Girard, Girard’s Smokehouse Chili.
“As a Mount Marty graduate, Yankton carries a special place in my heart. It was great to have spent so much time in the community these past few months and to see the community come together to increase awareness of Horizon Health and support equal access to health care for those within the community,” said Brady L. Kerkman, Director of Development for the Horizon Health Foundation.
Featured at the Cook-Off were local chilis, a variety of pastries and entertainment by a regionally known comedian. Attendees voted for their favorite chilis in three categories: Spicy, Sweet and Smoky. Winners received a trophy and bragging rights. Contestants included Levee Street Steak and Lounge, Angela’s Mexican Store, Boss’s Pizza and Chicken, the Yankton County Commissioners, Muddy Mo’s Coffee House, Willa B’s Bistro, Alex Haberer, Hy-Vee, Girard Electric, the City of Yankton, The Hay Shed, and Fleeg’s Riverside Road House.
Winners in the three categories were:
Spicy Category
- Levee Street Steak & Lounge, Jeremy Iverson, Spicy Chipotle
Sweet Category
- Alex Haberer, Backdraft
Smoky Category
Isaac Garner and Brandon Girard were the winners of the two $500 cash prizes given away during the Horizon Health Foundation Chili Cook-Off.
- Girard Electric, Brandon Girard, Girard’s Smokehouse Chili
Isaac Garner and Brandon Girard were the winners of the two $500 cash prizes.
The evening included messages from Wade Erickson (Horizon Health’s CEO), Tara Leonard (Horizon Health’s Southeast Regional Manager), Brady L. Kerkman (Director of Development) and from donors Lindy Land & Livestock (Jamie Lindemann), and Elk Point Ace Hardware (Holly Davidson).
Erickson and Leonard shared information on the importance of Horizon’s community health center mission to provide care to anyone who needs it regardless of ability to pay. Leonard recounted stories of patients whose lives were changed substantially when they were finally referred to Horizon Health. Kerkman shared the invaluable impact that community support has on ensuring equal access to services and ensuring individuals can have access to chronic health care kits.
Holly Davidson of Ace Hardware in Elk Point talked about the food insecurity she faced as a child of a single parent and how impactful an organization like Horizon Health would have been to her family’s struggle. Jamie Lindemann of Lindy Land & Livestock also shared information about the importance of rural health care and how it impacts rural livestock producers.
Yankton community members supported Horizon Health Foundation with a free will offering and numerous ticket sales for the Drive It Home ’26 Campaign drawing. Tickets are limited and your help is needed to ensure we can have the greatest impact in providing healthcare services to all who are in need across our 19 communities. Tickets are available for purchase until April 17 or until sold out. As tickets continue to sell, we encourage people to get them today before they are gone. For information on getting your chance to win contact Brady L. Kerkman at 605-610-8048 or go to www.horizonhealthcare.org/foundation.
Horizon Health would like to thank our most generous Chili Cook-Off contestants, donors of the cinnamon rolls (Perkins, Holiday Inn Express, Delight Donuts, Tulip Bread Co), and for the donated venue (Riverfront Event Center), and everyone who attended the Chili Cook-Off event. Through collaboration with Horizon Health, the 12 chili contestants and the cinnamon roll donors; chili and cinnamon rolls were donated to the Pathways Shelter for the Homeless. Their generous donations were a collective effort to fulfill a need within the community.
Sponsors of the Drive it Home ’26 Campaign include Rupiper Tours, Sanford Laboratories, First Dakota, SDN Communications, Prostrollo Auto Mall, Lindy Land & Livestock, and Elk Point Ace Hardware.
“We are humbled by their support to make this campaign possible,” Kerkman said.