HARRISBURG -- For three hours on Sunday, Harrisburg became a focal point for fine dining and generous giving thanks to an event that for years has been known as a celebration of the best food and drink Southern Illinois has to offer.
The Taste of Southern Illinois, started by Harrisburg businessman, Michael Tison, of Tison Wealth Management back in 1999, has always been a showcase of restaurants that offer a sample of their best dining fare. It also has always found a way to take money raised and bring it to a charitable cause.
In years past, money raised has gone to the Boy Scouts, the Christian Community Compassion Center, a program to replant trees destroyed by the 2012 "Leap Day Tornado" and other worthy causes.
Sunday's extravaganza was no exception -- now that the event is under the auspices of the Fowler-Bonan Foundation, the money raised goes toward the foundation's clothesforSIkids.org. As the name implies, that arm of the foundation provides clothing to children across the region.
State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, one of the founders of the foundation, said it amazes him how generous the people in attendance are when it comes to providing funds for children's clothing.
"I'm not sure how much we've made yet, because we're still totaling things up, but we made well over $10,000 last year, which is great," Fowler said. "Thanks to the hard work of people like Michael Tison, our foundation is able to continue to find needs and provide them for the people of Southern Illinois."
Tison said he anticipated a total similar to 2016's, likely a little more. He also praised the restaurants, wineries and beverage companies who participated.
"It's tremendous to see the commitment by these businesses," Tison said. "Their generosity is beyond compare."
Fowler echoed those comments, saying those restaurants likely make a small business sacrifice by having a team away on a Sunday afternoon for the event.
"To know that they're coming in purely by their good will, not making a penny for their efforts here today is commendable," Fowler said.
