San Francisco firefighters are gearing up for the annual Local 798 Johnny V Chili Cook-Off at Marina Green, a fundraiser that will pit a record 28 competing teams against each other with their own takes on chili — including mild elk chili and smoked brisket chili. The event is expected to draw crowds with fire department rigs, a bounce house and drinks on hand, but the real point of the cook-off is what happens after the pots are empty: every dollar raised goes toward the union's Toy Program, which works to help children in need year-round.
According to KTVU, Michael Guajardo, a member of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, joined the station to discuss the cook-off and the broader mission behind it. Guajardo has been involved with the Toy Program for 25 years, according to the San Francisco Examiner, and now serves as its director. The Toy Program itself is operated by Local 798 and runs entirely on donations and community partnerships, per the same outlet.
A Long History of Giving Back
The San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program traces its roots back to 1949, according to the Nob Hill Gazette. Over that stretch, the program has reported donating more than 40,000 toys to 20,000 children in San Francisco, per the Examiner — though the Nob Hill Gazette has separately reported the total lifetime figure at more than 200,000 toys. Each holiday season alone, the Examiner reports the city's firefighters give out more than 3,000 toys to local kids.
The nonprofit does not just wait for the holidays to act. It works throughout the year, the Examiner notes, partnering with local schools, shelters and social service agencies to identify families in need. Chili cook-offs like the one planned at Marina Green are part of how the program keeps that pipeline funded, with the Examiner and the Nob Hill Gazette both reporting that firefighters collect funds through cook-offs and similar events.
Details on Giving Back to the Community
Reporting on toy donations has varied slightly on the specifics of who qualifies. The Examiner has described the program as seeking new, unwrapped toys for children through age 12 in one article, while a separate Examiner report says donors can drop off an unwrapped toy for children up to age 14 at any San Francisco fire station, any day of the year.
The Marina Green cook-off carries its own history as a community draw beyond firefighting circles. A listing from Rocket Dog Rescue placed an 18th annual edition of the Johnny V. Chili Cook-Off at Marina Green, describing more than 20 booths bringing the heat and noting that all proceeds benefited the SF Firefighter Toy Program. That same listing said Rocket Dog Rescue planned to bring dogs available for adoption to the event.
Whatever the exact toy count over the decades, the throughline is consistent: San Francisco firefighters have leaned on cook-offs, community partners and donated dollars to keep toys flowing to kids across the city, one bowl of elk or brisket chili at a time.
