The annual Alabama River Chili Cookoff may have come and gone, but the excitement from the event is still palpable.

Members of Leadership Selma-Dallas County Class XVIII and representatives from Moore-Stewart Ford gathered Monday morning to present a $12,500 check to the nonprofit SABRA Sanctuary, which helps victims of domestic violence with shelter and other needs.

A different local charity is chosen each year and given the proceeds from the chili cookoff.

“We’re very thankful that we’re able and we’ve been able to donate in the past years,” said Ebony Rose, cookoff chairwoman. “For us to donate that money to SABRA, we’re really thankful and really blessed.”

Each year the cookoff has grown and the amount donated has increased. Four years ago, the total donation was $5,000.

“We’re definitely excited that this is year four, and we’ve raised a total of $33,500 and we’ve been able to give back to local charities in our community,” Rose said. “Moving forward in the next couple of years, of course we want it to increase.”

SABRA Sanctuary executive director Nancy Travis was brought to tears when it was announced how much money was being donated to her organization.

“It’s twice as much as what I thought it was going to be. When she told me the amount this morning, tears were going down my face,” Travis said. “I want to say thank you to Leadership Class XVIII for choosing us to be the recipient of the chili cookoff this year. We greatly appreciate it and we had so much fun.”

Travis said the money comes at a key time, as SABRA has just expanded to serve three additional counties (Greene, Marengo and Sumter) after Harriet’s House in Demopolis closed.

“We really needed the money. … It helps everything run a lot smoother and helps us pay our bills and helps us to be able to provide our clients with what they need,” Travis said.”We’re going into those counties … to get the word out that SABRA Sanctuary is here to help the victims in any way that we can. All we can do is say thank you thank you.”

Although much hard work goes into putting the cookoff together, Rose said the end result makes it all worth it.

“It’s a lot of planning, but when we get to this day, it’s definitely worth it,” Rose said. “For all of us to come together to be able to contribute to a great cause, speaks volumes about our community. The day that we’re able to give that check and see the face of that charity who’s accepting it is priceless.”

Barry Parker, an owner of Moore-Stewart Ford, which sponsors f the cookoff, said the dealership’s relationship with the leadership class is excellent, and they definitely plan to continue to sponsor the annual event.

“This is the third year that Moor-Stewart Ford as been the sponsor of the event and we look forward to many years to come,” Parker said. “When you see the end result and see the excitement and the tears from Ms. Nancy, that just shows you right there that it’s a great event, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”