Adam Kensinger, son of Berea Christian Fellowship pastor Aaron Kensinger, gives a crockpot filled with chili another stir Saturday afternoon at the church youth group’s fall fundraising dinner to benefit North Carolina hurricane victims. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

LEETONIA — There is nothing like a bowl of chili and an outdoor fire to take the chill out of the air.

Members of the Berea Christian Fellowship were hoping that the 50-degree temperatures Saturday night produced hungry and appreciative diners for their fall fundraiser.

BCF Pastor Aaron Kensinger explained that the church youth group was hosting this event to benefit relief efforts for Hurricane Helene’s North Carolina victims.

All sales from the meal, which included homemade chili and cornbread made by members, goes directly for victims in the form of storage, building supplies and other miscellaneous needs as decided by Local Compassion, which is a disaster relief group working in the area.

To provide a monetary donation to BCF’s hurricane effort, mail checks to Berea Christian Fellowship, 329 Pearl St., Leetonia, OH 44431 and write Hurricane on the check’s memo line.

In the spring, the church’s youth group once again will hold another fundraiser, this one is a chicken dinner to benefit their annual outreach mission trip.

Last year, the pastors explained the group traveled to Oklahoma, where they visited the Pearl of Grace Ranch for troubled teens and assisted with construction, spring cleaning and any general property maintenance they may need done.

Members of the youth group also volunteer in their community, doing tasks like raking leaves for senior citizens at no charge, Weaver added.

For information about BCF, reach out to the church at 330-427-2907.