February 5, 2019
Vic the Chili Man hosts annual charity event
He hopes to raise $17,000 for five families this Saturday, Feb. 9
Vic the Chili Man at his annual SHRED charity event. Photo by Chris Shumaker.
Vic Werany, better known as Vic the Chili Man, works hard slinging hot dogs from his cart on Tryon Street near 4th from mid-March until the cold hits in November. He serves the best hot dogs in town from his small cart, along with banter and jokes that entertain the long line as hungry customers wait for their dogs.
His two or three months off from working on the hot dog cart, however, are far from time off. Each year, he organizes SHRED, or Skaters Helping Realize Extraordinary Dreams, a nonprofit raising money for children with birth defects.
The event started in support of his neighbor, Gabe, who has spina bifida. The first event included raffles, a skateboarding contest, food, and music, bringing in $2,500 for Werany’s young neighbor and his family to help pay for Gabe’s spina bifida treatment. Gabe’s best friend Luke became a beneficiary the next year, and the SHRED family has been growing since.
The event also grows each year, and this year (the sixth event) benefits five families. Werany says he hopes to bring in $17,000 at this year’s SHRED. The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Unknown Brewing Company from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. DJ Festivus will provide entertainment and provide updates on the statuses of auctions and raffles. Barbecue will be catered by Fat and Chili Catering, with baked goods provided by The Gray Oven. Attendees can purchase barbecue sandwiches, plates, and sweets, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting SHRED.
The center of the event is a raffle of painted skateboard decks, donated by artists around the city. This year, there are more than 120 deck pieces, including ones with paintings of Freddie Mercury and Ric Flair. Lineberger Orthodontics has donated a treatment package including braces, valued at more than $6,000, for the silent auction. A raffle item that will likely be popular is a free week at Camp Woodward, a world-renowned action sports camp in Pennsylvania that also has gymnastics and cheer champs. Another item of note: a night on the town package, including a night at Marriott City Center with valet parking, breakfast at the concierge lounge, $100 to Stoke, and a Segway tour of the city. Limited edition “I get my wieners from Vic” t-shirts will also be on sale.
In 2017, I wrote a profile about Vic the Chili Man when he was named a Charlottean of the Year. Read that story here. —Kristen Wile
