NATCHEZ &8212; Hearts and stomachs were warmed Saturday, as people gathered on the grounds of Fort Rosalie.

They gathered to show their support of the Natchez Children&8217;s Home at the 2006 Broadway Bash Chili Cook-off.

&8220;The cause is the kids and that&8217;s what it&8217;s all about,&8221; said Stanley Owens, head cook for the Natchez Fire Department&8217;s team.

Adams County Sheriff Ronny Brown agreed with Owens but said there was a little more to the cook-off than that.

&8220;We (the ACSO team) also enjoy the good-natured rivalry between us and the fire department,&8221; Brown said. &8220;Every year, we play pranks on each other to slow the other team down.&8221;

This year, Brown had Owens carried off to the sheriff&8217;s station and booked on charges of impersonating a cook.

&8220;I can&8217;t wait to see what they do to us next year,&8221; Brown said.

Coordinator Cloyce Hinton said that the chili cook off raised $4,576 for the children&8217;s home.

Director of Development Joe Mitchell said the children&8217;s home is fortunate to have so many members of the community come and give support.

&8220;We have never applied for a federal grant and all of our funds to run the home come from individuals, local businesses and charities,&8221; Mitchell said. &8220;We truly are blessed by this community.&8221;

Krewe of Alpheus cook David Baity heard about the chili cook-off when he joined the krewe this year.

&8220;I volunteered to cook because I can do that better than clean up or organize,&8221; Baity said, laughing.

But Baity&8217;s reasons for cooking actually go a little deeper, he said.

&8220;My wife and I worked in a children&8217;s home when we lived in Georgia,&8221; Baity said. &8220;I&8217;m very familiar with the needs of the homes and they really need community support.&8221;

Tammy Wheeler said she wouldn&8217;t miss the chili cook-off for anything.

&8220;I&8217;ve been every year, rain or shine, because it&8217;s such a good cause and it&8217;s also a lot of fun,&8221; Wheeler said.