Chefs Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence Event

For the 7th year, we are hosting an unforgettable evening featuring delicious, creative dishes from 20-24 local leaders, plus a few pro chefs, all competing for the coveted titles of Best Home Chef and Best Pro Chef.

As guests sample each unique creation, they'll also enjoy tastings of locally crafted brews from Homer Hops Brewing, signature wines from Treleaven Wines, and mocktails (new this year!), all while dancing the night away to the groovy sounds of Tribal Revival. To purchase tickets to the Chefs Take a Stand event, click here.

While this unique event raises fun, it also raises funds for Cortland County’s ONLY comprehensive domestic violence program, YWCA Cortland’s Aid to Victims of Violence (AVV).

Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the event highlights the incredible work of our AVV staff and the crucial need for their services, such as helping clients obtain orders of protection and accompanying them to the hospital or courtroom. AVV offers off-site emergency housing and services at Grace Brown House, a permanent supportive housing project where women domestic violence survivors and their children reside while they re-establish their lives

Silent Auction

For the first time, we’ve added a silent auction feature to the event where you can bid on unique experiences, goods, and services to support the Aid to Victims of Violence (AVV) Program.

Items include a custom pet portrait by Molly Reagan of Good Neighbor Art (see example at right), a round of golf for two at the Cortland Country Club, a Cortland Repertory Theatre Summer Flex Pass, a Dirty Date Night Pottery Throwing Class at Pottery Works, an eye exam and a pair of prescription glasses from Cortland Eye Center (eyeglass frames example below), a Syracuse Mets Family 4-Pack, and many more.

Can't attend the Chefs Take a Stand event on October 7? No worries. Anyone wanting to support the AVV Program can bid on items in the silent auction between 10 am on Wednesday, September 30, and 7:30 pm on Wednesday, October 7.

HOW TO BID ON SILENT AUCTION ITEMS

To participate in the silent auction, click the "Auction" button at the top center of the page, click the blue "Register to Bid" button, and sign up or sign in.

Once you've registered to bid online, you can browse, favorite, and track silent auction items you're interested in. You can also get updates if you're outbid and be notified if you've won an item or items when the auction closes at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, October 7. At that time, you will receive instructions on how to collect the item(s) you've won, either at the Chefs event if you are in attendance or at the YWCA after noon on Thursday, October 8.

Please note that all highest bidders will be automatically charged once the auction ends. Winning bids made above the fair market value of items will receive a donation tax receipt for the difference.

Other Ways to Support the AVV Program

DONATIONS

Not interested in participating in the silent auction? You can also donate to support YWCA Cortland’s Aid to Victims of Violence Program and the critical services it provides to the Cortland community.

To donate, click the purple "Donate" button at the top of the page, select your gift amount, choose whether to leave your name and a message, and add an image, GIF, or drawing to our "Supporters" wall, then complete your payment. You can hide your name or donation amount from public view, but your gift will still appear on the wall and count toward the total amount raised toward our campaign goal.

OCTOBER RAFFLE BASKET FUNDRAISER

The annual AVV Raffle Basket Fundraiser is back. Make sure to check out the incredible themed raffle baskets on display in the YWCA lobby throughout October!

Visit the YWCA to buy tickets in person, or call 607-753-9651 to have the front desk staff help you purchase them over the phone!

Tickets (2 for $5 or 5 for $10) are available for purchase until 10 am on Monday, November 2, when we will draw the winning tickets. You need not be present to win; we will notify all winners by phone.

Themed baskets include Rhapsody in Blue; Spa Day (below left); Sip Happens; Go Fetch!; Honey, I Shrunk the Snacks; Wine Not?; and Smoothie Operator (below right). Visit our website to view photos of all 20 baskets and see the content lists.

Thank You!

We sincerely appreciate your support of YWCA Cortland's Aid to Victims of Violence (AVV) Program.

Although grants fund most of AVV's program needs, they don't pay for some of the things domestic violence survivors need to live comfortably and with dignity day-to-day. All proceeds from the fundraising efforts listed above will support survivors in our community.

To learn more about the AVV program, visit our website.

2026 Chefs Take a Stand Silent Auction

A fundraiser to support domestic violence survivors in our community. Highest bidders will be automatically charged once the auction ends. Winning bids made above fair market value will receive a donation tax receipt for the difference.