10/16/2025
Thank You for Making the 15th Annual Taste of Mower County a Success!
LIFE Mower County extends our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make the 15th Annual Taste of Mower County an incredible success!
Sponsors
We are deeply thankful to our generous sponsors whose support made this event possible: DoubleTree by Hilton Austin, Hormel Foods, Quality Pork Processors, Medgaarden's Southwest Sales, The Huffman Family, Austin Morning Lions Club, Wealth Management Solutions–Ameriprise, Sterling Pharmacy, King Maintenance, Accentra Credit Union, and Cedar Valley Services.
A special thank you to Lyna Wynia at the DoubleTree by Hilton Austin for her assistance and coordination throughout the planning process. We also appreciate the bar staff, who kept everything running smoothly all evening; the team clearing tables, who worked tirelessly to keep the space spotless and welcoming; and the setup crew, who ensured the room was perfectly arranged for our event.
Tasting Partners / Chefs
Thank you to our incredible chefs and tasting partners for sharing your delicious creations: Cedar Valley Services, DoubleTree/Torge’s Live (2nd Place), Just Take The Cake Too/Let’s Toast, Marty Party Barbecue (3rd Place), Nancy’s Café, Qdoba Mexican Eats, and The Downtown Grill (1st Place).
Volunteers
We are so grateful for the time and energy of our amazing volunteers:
Anna Good, John Gray, Kathleen Huffman, Susan Huffman, Laura Jertson, Barb Keist, Carol Schlichter, Wendy Whalen, and Chelsea White.
Auction and Door Prize Donors
A big thank you to everyone who donated items to our auction and door prizes—your generosity added excitement and joy to the evening:
All Fur Dogs, Anna Good, Anonymous, Barb Keist, Coffee House on Main, Colleen Horn, D and G Ace Hardware, Dawn Helgeson, Domino’s, Everest Apollo Liquor, Hy-Vee, Jamey Helgeson, John Gray, Kathleen Huffman, Keen Bee Honey, Kenneth Kroupa, Krista Kahle, Laura Tjomsland, Linda Whalen and Wendy Whalen, Nancy’s Café, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Perkins, Piggy Blue’s Bar-B-Que, Power 96, Prairie Home Floral, Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Ron and Nancy Wiborg, Super Fresh, and The Pet Authority & Didi Gee Pottery.
Heads or Tails Game
Thank you to everyone who purchased beads and joined in the fun during the Heads or Tails game—your participation helped raise even more support for LIFE Mower County’s programs. Congratulations to Andrea E., who took home some cash as the lucky winner!
Silent Auction and Fund-A-Need
We also want to thank everyone who purchased items from the silent auction and donated to the Fund-A-Need. Your generosity directly supports LIFE Mower County’s mission and helps provide inclusive programs, activities, and opportunities for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Your support helps LIFE Mower County continue to provide meaningful programs and opportunities for people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together, we are building a community where everyone belongs.
With sincere gratitude,
LIFE Mower County
