Bloomington Fundraiser Hosts Curt Cignetti Lookalike Contest
The event at Switchyard Park raised over $800 to support local emergency housing for families in need.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Food Truck Friday attendees raised over $800 to support the New Hope For Families charity by voting in a Curt Cignetti lookalike contest. The fundraiser aimed to support the organization's No Child Sleeps Outside campaign in Bloomington.
Why it matters
The event provides critical financial support for an emergency shelter capable of housing up to 12 families at a time. It highlights how community-led events can generate immediate contributions for local social service initiatives.
The Kiwanis Club of Bloomington contributed $500 while individual attendees donated $300 through Venmo voting. Participants in the contest collectively received $500 in local business gift cards.
The players
New Hope For Families
This Bloomington-based organization provides emergency shelter services for up to 12 families.
Kiwanis Club of Bloomington
This local chapter of the international service organization supports community projects through charitable donations.
Rich Samuelson
He is a local resident who won the Curt Cignetti lookalike contest held at Switchyard Park.
Curt Cignetti
He is the head coach of the Indiana football team known for his distinct coaching style.
The details
Three contestants participated in the event, performing mock post-game interviews to imitate Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti. Rich Samuelson was declared the winner of the contest after 50 attendees cast their votes.
Timeline
The Indiana football team lost to Ohio State on October 17, 2026.
The Food Truck Friday lookalike contest occurred on October 23, 2026.
Market Landscape
This event serves as a grassroots extension of the broader No Child Sleeps Outside campaign by mobilizing local donations for emergency shelter services. It reflects a growing trend of using community-level social gatherings to meet local nonprofit funding objectives.
Residents of Bloomington can participate in future community events to provide direct financial aid to the New Hope For Families shelter. These contributions assist in maintaining local emergency housing capacity for families in need.
The takeaway
Community engagement events offer a creative way for neighbors to support local social services through direct charitable giving. Participating in these local contests turns entertainment into tangible aid for those requiring emergency housing.
Further reading
Learn more about local charitable efforts in our Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by COLUMN: 'I Love Boosters' features wacky surrealist visuals and hilarious comedy - Indiana Daily Student.
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