We Are American hosts sixth annual event to benefit South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition on Sept. 9
Anna Eickmeyer made the best meatballs.
A few years before she passed away, Eickmeyer’s family persuaded her to enter a meatball cook-off in Hammonton. She won — not just that first year, but for three years in a row.
“The first year she had passed away, that following January for her birthday, we said, ‘Let’s just invite everybody over and make meatballs in her memory,’” Berlin resident and Eickmeyer’s daughter Michele Secrest said. “Our house was so packed with friends and family, we thought maybe we should do an event. And that’s how it started.”
The event — Meatball Mania — returns this year from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, taking place for the first time at The Vault in Berlin. It is hosted by We Are American, a nonprofit started by Secrest, her husband Eddie and friends, and proceeds will benefit the Berlin-based South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition in memory of Eickmeyer.
“We’re very honored Michele has chosen our organization in memory of her mom,” Loretta Mikulski said.
Mikulski is the founder and president of SJBCC and a 22-year breast cancer survivor. Donations will help aid the nonprofit’s Carolyn J. Ochs Memorial Client Assistance Fund, which helps people with breast cancer pay essential bills such as mortgage, utilities, car insurance and more while dealing with their diagnosis.
“It’s whatever their pressing need is. They have enough to worry about with their health without having to worry about bills,” Mikulski said. “(Life) doesn’t stop. Just because you get sick, it doesn’t stop.”
This year marks the sixth annual Meatball Mania, and in addition to the new location, there are two other new aspects to the fundraiser — it is BYOB, and there will be a meatball throwdown.
“We’re opening it up to the public,” Secrest said. “A lot of people are like, ‘Hey, my meatballs are great.’ Let’s let people show us what they have.”
Some people claim to make the most delicious classic meatball in marinara. Others boast about their buffalo chicken meatballs in blue cheese sauce. Maybe a honey chipotle turkey meatball is a popular recipe, or an eggplant meatball in spicy pomodoro sauce is a family favorite.
Secrest wants to try them all.
“I’m really hoping there’s a variety,” Secrest said. “My friend wants to do a marsala one. My husband wants to try something else. I know a couple people are doing traditional.”
Winners will be decided by the crowd, with each attendee able to vote with provided tickets. There will be prizes for the top three winners.
Registration to compete is free, and participants must complete an entry form by Saturday, Sept. 2. Contestants must bring 100 cocktail-sized meatballs — no larger than a ping pong ball — sauced or unsauced, in provided foil pans. Set-up is at 5:30 p.m. In the event of a tie, an officer of We Are American will decide the winner.
“It’s a really fun event,” Secrest said. “We hope a lot of people come out and support the Breast Cancer Coalition.”
Admission is $25, and Secrest encourages attendees to purchase tickets early online since seating is limited. There may be limited ticket sales at the door. In addition to chowing down on meatballs of all types, participants can enjoy music donated by Cherry Hill-based Black Cherry Band and try their luck at a silent auction featuring an array of prizes from local businesses.
To sign up as a contestant or to buy tickets to attend, visit www.weramerican.org/meatball-mania. More information can also be found at the event’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/events/640090149512776. To learn more about the SJBCC, visit www.southjerseybcc.org.
