To simply come into this column by saying “thank you,” probably wouldn’t be enough to support my feelings. So, let me see how it goes by saying it in French, “merci beaucoup.” What about Swedish, “tack så mycket” or Japanese “domo arigato?”

In any case, I cannot express my thanks to a group of people for what they accomplished this week.

For full disclosure, I am a member of Leadership Selma-Dallas County, and this week that group put together the inaugural Alabama River Chili Cookoff that was held on historic Water Avenue Thursday evening.

For months, this class discussed and debated just what the class’ project would be. The discussions went on and on and finally, the group settled on an event — the chili cookoff — that would go to support a different charity each year it was held.

And, since that decision was reached late last year, each member of the class worked their tails off to pull together this event.

Thanks to the cooperation and partnership from Selma Mayor George Evans and the city of Selma, this event was able to come together in a timeframe most would have considered impossible.

But what was thought to have been impossible came together Thursday night in a way none of us had ever expected. In short, we were overwhelmed with the response from area businesses, sponsors and residents.

And while the final tally won’t be figured for a few days, what has been calculated is that this is an event well worth doing again.

It brought together groups of people who don’t normally come together to eat dinner, much less homemade chili in 4-ounce cups. This event brought together businesses — many of which compete against one another — for an evening of fellowship and charity. And, it brought together everyone in an area of town that is quickly becoming a crown jewel of Selma.

Water Avenue was the perfect venue for the inaugural Alabama River Chili Cookoff and gave both cooking teams and residents plenty of room to enjoy themselves and the chili.

In short, Thursday night was a demonstration of what Selma could be — and what Selma is — when it comes together for a common purpose, a common goal.

In no way do I speak for the other members of my leadership class — Class XVIII — but as for me, I am amazed by what was accomplished Thursday in downtown Selma and I cannot wait to do it again next year.

So, in closing, as they would say in Spanish, “muchas gracias, Selma.”