What better way to warm up on a brisk winter day than with a hot bowl of homemade chili.

 The 179th Airlift Wing held is annual chili cook off Wednesday, as part of the Combined Federal Campaign.  

  Every year teams from the base got creative with their themes and competitive with their chili. 

  "This is the one sanctioned entity that we in the military can contribute to," Colonel Gary McCue said. "The good news is, it touches such a wide range of entities out there, that we can give to."

  The fundraiser helps raise money for the United Way of Richland County and for that, Executive Director Bob Maxey is very thankful.

  "Most of the folks have the option to designate their giving, whether locally or to send it somewhere else in the country," Maxey said. "And, many of the folks will decide to keep it right here in Richland County."

  In past years, the annual chili cook-off brings in close to $500.

 This year the goal for the campaign was to raise $15,000 and Colonel Gary McCue believes they have surpassed that amount.

The Best Chili AND People's Choice Awards went to the "Star Wars Team" made up of the Force Support Squadron.