Firefighters First Credit Union Sweeps Chili Challenge

SAN DIEGO, CA  August 7, 2017

Firefighters First Credit Union on Saturday dominated the fifth annual Xpress Data, Inc. 2017 Credit Union Chili Challenge, winning First Place and the People’s Choice award with Second place being awarded to New Orleans Firemen’s FCU

“Fire Watch smoked the competition at the Credit Union Chili Challenge,” said Firefighters First Senior Vice President of Marketing Kelly Ramsay. “Congratulations to our dedicated chili team: Tim and Noemi Watkins, Stacey Miller, Crystal Jauregui, Chantel Perez, Kimberly Tobias and Pedro Quintanilla. We are so proud, and that was some darn good chili!”

The $1.2 billion credit union brought home two trophies from Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack, $7,000 in prize money they will donate to the Fire Family Foundation and an entry to compete in the International Chili Society World Championships Oct. 20-22 in Reno, Nev.

“Congratulations to Firefighters First Credit Union for their strong showing this year,” XDI President Mike Cooper said. “Their teamwork and enthusiasm are an inspiration to the credit union community.”

Twenty-two credit union teams competed in the event. While most were credit unions located in Southern California, the Second Place winners, New Orleans Firemen’s the Federal Credit Union, traveled 2,000 miles to compete in the event. The $163 million credit union will donate its $3,500 prize to Children’s Hospital of New Orleans.

The $800 million Pacific Marine Credit Union of Oceanside, Calif., also won big, taking home $2,000 in prize money for Rady Children’s Hospital. Pacific Marine’s team won $1,000 for the Showmanship Award and another $1,000 with the Social Media Award for use of the #cuchili hashtag.

Third place was awarded to the $4 billion Kinecta Federal Credit Union in Manhattan Beach, Calif., which will donate its $1,500 prize to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The $1.4 billion First Entertainment Credit Union in Hollywood, Calif., won $1,000 in prize money for Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for Best Booth.

“We were so pleased to host our largest XDI’s Credit Union Chili Challenge ever and donate $15,000 to charity,” Cooper said. “We look forward to welcoming, even more, credit unions next year and encourage everyone to consider hosting their own cook-off to increase employee engagement and foster team building.”