
Wayne Gives Back: The "Why" Behind The Chili Open
At Wayne Homes, we love events that keep us close to the communities we serve. And, it’s even better when the events help support those same communities. The Chili Open is a very special event Wayne Homes proudly sponsors, and we look forward to doing so every year.
The Chili Open is an annual event to support the Akron Rotary Camp which is a camp for children with special needs.

They offer day, overnight, and year-round respite camp programs. Wayne Homes has been a sponsor of the Chili Open since 1993 and became the presenting sponsor of the Chili Open in 2002. Last year, the 2024 Chili Open raised over $380,000!
Wayne Homes donated three dozen decorated cut-out cookies to the online auction. Many organizations sponsor “camperships” which cover the cost of camp for a child. Wayne Homes sponsored two camperships – one in memory of Todd Michaels, our Controller who passed away in January 2022, and the other in memory of Scott Warner, our Director of Purchasing who passed away in April 2022.

Celebrating 100 Years
The Akron Rotary Camp just celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, and to help celebrate this remarkable place, supporters shared their stories.
- Denise Kajder, sister of a camper, said, “The independence, the feeling of belonging…everybody that’s here [at camp] is just like them. That camaraderie that the kids come away with is phenomenal.”
- John Petures from the Akron Community Foundation emphasizes that, “the Akron Rotary Camp is a precious jewel on Portage Lakes that we have to preserve…forever.”
- Judi Jacobs, a polio camper, first attended camp in 1958. “At Rotary, I remember thinking, ‘they were just like us’. They were living the life I was living.”
- Christine Frank is a mother of a camper, Jared, and she shared that at camp they’ve thought of everything. “He is happy every day that he comes here, and the camp counselors embrace him and he really loves them, and I know that they love him in return.”
- Nicolas George is a Rotary Camp Board Member. His sister had polio and attended the Rotary Camp. He said, “The first day she started bawling, then the next day she started laughing, and she loved it. When it was time to go home, she didn’t want to go home!”
These stories give you a glimpse into the huge impact the Akron Rotary Camp has had and continues to have on the lives of the children attending. We are so proud to support this very special place in the community by being a sponsor of the Chili Open.
You’re Invited to the 35th Chili Open!

The Chili Open is an annual fundraiser benefiting the Akron Rotary Camp. It is their largest fundraiser of the year. The 2025 Chili Open is the 35th annual event. The Chili Open includes a unique winter 9-hole golf experience, putt-putt and hole-in-one challenges, a chili eating contest, food, and beverages.
You’re invited to join us this year for the 35th anniversary of the Chili Open Golf Classic, presented by Wayne Homes on February 1, 2025! This event will be held on the grounds of Hale Farm & Village in Bath, Ohio from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to golf, participate in putt-putt and hole-in-one challenges, enjoy some Whitey’s Premium Chili, arctic beverages, and much more!
There are several ways to get involved and support Chili Open:

Our “Why”
We hope this information helps you understand the “why” behind the Chili Open and that it inspire you to help support the Akron Rotary Camp as well. At camp, children experience the joy of belonging, the excitement of trying activities they might not otherwise have the opportunity to do, and the unwavering support of a community that believes in them. From sunny lake days to friendships formed around the picnic table, these moments create lifelong memories.
The Chili Open makes this magic possible. Each snowy swing of a golf club, every bite of chili, and each bid in the silent auction ensures that kids with special needs in our community have a place where they feel supported, encouraged, and free to be themselves.
If you have questions, we have answers. Feel free to reach out to us–we hope you’ll become a part of this special tradition.
About Wayne Homes
Wayne Homes is a custom homebuilder in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia (see all Model Home Centers). We offer more than 50 fully customizable floorplans and a team dedicated to providing the best experience in the home building industry. For more information, Ask Julie by Live Chat or call us at (866) 253-6807.