The clouds may have threatened at times, but nothing could dampen the excitement at this year’s Great Grill Off at Christian Children’s Home of Ohio. More than 1,100 guests poured onto campus, filling the afternoon with laughter, sizzling grills, and the joy of a community coming together
for a purpose. The rain held off until the very end, giving families plenty of time to enjoy incredible burgers and a full day of fun.
Every bite, every smile, and every donation helped boys and girls experience safety, connection, and healing. Your enthusiasm for great food and your heart for helping youth discover their worth in Christ made the day unforgettable and we are deeply grateful.
Our 10 community grill teams brought their A‑game, serving up creative, mouthwatering burgers and offering warm hospitality to every guest. The friendly competition was fierce (and delicious!) as teams battled for votes, bragging rights, and the Grill Off trophy. Meanwhile, the campus buzzed with activities including inflatables, carnival games, train and tractor rides, and more. Everywhere you looked, kids and families were making memories.
When the final votes were counted, Bamtastic Eatz/Canaan Meats claimed the title of 2026 Burger Champion with their “The BAM Slam” smash burger. Frito‑Lay earned second place with their “Chimichurri Burger,” and Holy Lederhosen took third with their “Holy Reuben Burger.” Congratulations to all our grill teams for their creativity, hard work, and heart.
Events like this don’t happen without a large team of supporters. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and community partners who poured time, resources, and energy into making the day a success. From providing ingredients to staffing activities to sponsoring the event, your partnership makes a real difference for the youth we serve.
This event continues to be one of Wooster’s favorite summer traditions and it’s all because of YOU. Thank you for showing up, serving, giving, and celebrating with us. Remember, the Grill Off is not just about the burgers, it’s about our awesome kids!
Mark your calendars for next year: Sunday, June 13, 2027 — the second Sunday in June. Enjoy the photo gallery for a taste of the Grill Off and we hope to see you back next year.
Special thanks to our event sponsors Powers Oil & Propane, Church of the Lakes, Mission Thrift, Welch Packaging, Ackerman Auto & Tire, Coblentz Bros., Inc, The Commercial & Savings Bank, J & J Auto Wrecking, Gerber Lumber & Hardware, The Killbuck Savings Bank Co., The Fredericksburg Church of Christ, Kitty Poo Club, Edward Jones – Kim Cowgill, Krupp Moving & Storage, and Classic Vacuum; New Life Church of Christ in Bellville, OH, and Whitaker Myers Insurance Group in Mansfield, OH for providing volunteers before and during the event; The Robert Jentes Family and Canaan Meats for providing ground beef; Prairie Farms Orrville for providing ice cream; Frito-Lay for providing chips; Village Catering for providing pasta salad; Buehler’s; Meijer; Albright Welding Supply Co., Inc.; Rick Hinderer Knives; Lowe & Young, Inc.; Root Candles; Farmers State Bank; 104.5 The River; Central Fire/EMS Department; and to our numerous volunteers and all our community grill teams!
