Amara Rose Foundation raises over $7,000 with Chili Challenge at Viroqua Eagles

March 14, 2025

VIROQUA, Wis. – The Amara Rose Foundation held their third annual Chili Challenge fundraiser at the Viroqua Eagles on Saturday, March 8. The event raised over $7,000 between the chili competition, the silent auction and the sale of donated baked goods and prizes.

12 people entered their chili in the competition and for the second year in a row Viroqua Mayor Justin Running was crowned the Chili King. Trina Shaner took second place and Brit Role took third.

The Amara Rose Foundation was founded by Heidi Overson who named the foundation in honor of her daughter, who she lost to a fentanyl over does in 2022. Overson founded the organization to help raise awareness about addictions and to do work that could prevent more deaths. At the event Overson thanked all who donated to the event, as well as the volunteers that help with that work, and talked about how they use the funds to raise awareness throughout the area.

“We all work so hard,” said Overson. “And really the foundation has consumed our lives over the past three years, but we wouldn’t want it any other way. We just can’t stop, and we shouldn’t stop. We’re using these proceeds to fund more awareness ads for TV and social media.”

Overson said the foundation has a series of videos coming out soon that features young people, some of whom lost family members to addiction, delivering messages about practical prevention steps, to raise awareness and to reach those are in need of help.

Amara Rose’s other work includes providing fentanyl test strips, put up billboards, banners and yard signs. They give away anti-spiking covers for drinks and Narcan doses to individuals and families struggling with addiction. Overson said the organization is also a way for families to support one another who are dealing with addiction, or lost someone to addiction.

“On a personal level, 35 years ago from today, I was waiting to have my little Mari,” said Overson. “She was due on March 22 and I had her on March 25 and we lived in La Crosse at the time, and I never dreamed that 35 years later, I’d be doing this here with all of you. And just to remind everyone why we’re here, I want you to please go around to the tables and look at all of the dedications.”

At most of the tables at the event there was a poster of an individual who lost their battle with addiction.

Here are just some of the posters dedicated to lost loved ones at the fundraiser: