The DeKalb Fire Department will see who has the best homemade chili at a cook-off fundraiser event next month.

All proceeds from the cook-off will go towards purchasing winter coats for DeKalb children in need, said DeKalb firefighter Patrick Eriksen. This year is the second time the DeKalb Fire Department is collaborating with Operation Warm, an organization dedicated to providing winter coats for children.

“In my job, we see a lot of kids when it starts getting cold out and even in the dead of winter waiting out by the school bus with no coat on, and you know, it kind of tugs our heart strings a little bit, and we love doing this with Operation Warm,” Eriksen said.

There will be three cash prizes for those who enter into the contest. The first place cash prize is $250, second place is $150 and third place is $100. The contest will be judged by local celebrities, Eriksen said.

Individuals can sample chili for $10, sample chili and get unlimited beer for $20, or sample chili, get unlimited beer and enter chili into the contest for $40.

There will be a silent auction during the cookout. Items in the auction will include a signed Huskies football, among other items, Eriksen said.

The event will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at Fatty’s Pub and Grill, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway. Coats will be handed out in December, Eriksen said.

“It’s good to see the smile on their faces and know that they’re warm this winter because of the work that were putting into Operation Warm,” Eriksen said. “That’s pretty special to us.”

Go to bit.ly/1Nyi5x8 or bit.ly/1H7nQND for more information.