$245,000: Old National event far exceeds expectations

ByMatthew Crane Reading Time: 5 minutes
The group celebrated after the total was revealed.
The group celebrated after the total was revealed.

Tom Krodel, Old National Bank’s regional president, began the 100 Men Who Cook fundraiser by borrowing a line from Jerry Lewis.

If we raise a dollar more than the last 100 Men Who Cook, it’s a success, he told the more than 800 people filling the Huntingburg Event Center Saturday evening. In 2014, the event brought in $115,000 for the Indiana National Guard Family Relief Fund.

At the end of the night though, Krodel had to ask for a little help to announce the total as he was overcome with emotion on the stage after seeing the culmination of the night’s activities for the first time.

The second 100 Men Who Cook raised $245,143.56 for the Dubois County Leukemia Association and Scott Rolen’s E5 Foundation. Split between the two, both entities received thousands more than the single dollar goal Krodel had announced earlier in the evening.

“I am so proud to be from Jasper Region where locals continually support locals and I am anxious to see how the money raised will change lives for the better,” said Krodel about the new record amount raised.

The amount is a game changer for the Dubois County Leukemia Association. Mike Uebelhor, one of the founders of the nonprofit that supports families as they battle the disease, was nearly speechless as he attempted to calculate what the funds meant for the nearly 25-year-old organization.

“It is way beyond what I could have imagined they would raise,” he said. “I am awestruck really.”

According to Uebelhor, he was skeptical if the organization had raised that much money in total over the 25 years it had been fundraising.

The Association supports families through providing some funds, information and a support network as they go through the process of fighting the disease. Another important aspect is the continued collection of samples for bone marrow matches. Through a simple swab of the inner cheek, the registry matches people up as potential bone marrow donors for leukemia patients.

The money raised Saturday will support expansions into other counties in the area. “We have already been in talks with Orange County to start one there,” Uebelhor said. “Boy, we can do a lot of good now.”

A large portion of the success of Saturday’s event can be attributed to donations from Jasper native and former Major League Baseball player Scott Rolen. He provided several jerseys and memorabilia to the event to be auctioned off amassing more than $65,000. His 2004 All Star jersey sold for $41,000 after a spirited bidding battle led by auctioneer Chip Kugler.

“This is phenomenal,” Rolen said about the impact on E5 Foundation. “This has been great.”

Rolen pointed out that fundraising is always the most difficult part of any foundation’s success. He also commended the outpouring that had occurred through 100 Men Who Cook.

Rolen and his brother Todd operate the E5 Foundation near Bloomington. It is a camp that provides terminally ill children and their families a chance to simply have a good time through special events and features like a giant tree house, petting zoo, disc golf course and a lake.

“There was a lot going on here tonight,” he added. “What a great event.”

Scott Schwinghammer dressed the part for his Louisiana-themed table that included Mardis Gras beads.
Scott Schwinghammer dressed the part for his Louisiana-themed table that included Mardis Gras beads.
Tom Krodel carried two baseballs during the auction. One was signed by all the National League players; the other by the American League players of the 2004 All Star Game.
Tom Krodel carried two baseballs during the auction. One was signed by all the National League players; the other by the American League players of the 2004 All Star Game.
Al Baldwin prepared his table of miniature cheesecakes.
Al Baldwin prepared his table of miniature cheesecakes.
Scott Rolen and OFS Brands CEO Hank Menke (who served lamb) attempted to work out the instructions for the cooks' parade entrance to the event while Tim Robinette looked on.
Scott Rolen and OFS Brands CEO Hank Menke (who served lamb) attempted to work out the instructions for the cooks’ parade entrance to the event while Tim Robinette looked on.
Jim Siebert and his brothers John and Mike served fried catfish filet from their White River Fishing Camp themed table.
Jim Siebert and his brothers John and Mike served fried catfish filets from their White River Fishing Camp themed table.
Adrian Siebert, 6, colored while his dad Ben and uncle John fried catfish outside the Huntingburg Event Center.
Adrian Siebert, 6, colored while his dad Ben and uncle John fried catfish outside the Huntingburg Event Center.
Scott Rolen posed with Alex and Brittney Krempp. Rolen signed autographs and posed with attendees to raise funds at the event. He and his brother Todd also cooked for the event.
Scott Rolen posed with Alex and Brittney Krempp. Rolen signed autographs and posed with attendees to raise funds at the event. He and his brother Todd also cooked for the event.
Aimee Blumie and Hank Menke were Little Bo Peep and her sheep as they served up a lamb dish (Kebsa and saffron rice) at the 100 Men Who Cook.
Aimee Blumie and Hank Menke were Little Bo Peep and her sheep as they served up a lamb dish (Kebsa and saffron rice) at the 100 Men Who Cook.
Chip Kugler cajoled a bit more money from a bidder as Scott Rolen held his framed 2004 All Star jersey. Kugler called Rolen up to the stage to help fuel the bidding. The jersey eventually sold for $41,000, the largest sale of the night.
Chip Kugler cajoled a bit more money from a bidder as Scott Rolen held his framed 2004 All Star jersey. Kugler called Rolen up to the stage to help fuel the bidding. The jersey eventually sold for $41,000, the largest sale of the night.
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