Monitor Photo/Janice Grubbs Vincik
Fig’s Steakhouse and Fig’s Backyard owner Greg Figueroa (from left) hosts a Derby Day Party and fundraising event to support the Community Food Pantry in Tool May 3. Guests enjoy an afternoon by the pool with food and drinks, live music, fellowship and of course the 2025 Kentucky Derby all in Figueroa’s backyard. Pictured with Tool City Council Member Figueroa is Tool City Council Member Daniel Sayre and City of Tool Mayor Mike Dumont. 

Monitor Photo/Janice Grubbs Vincik
Attendees at the Derby Day watch party enjoy mingling with one another May 3. Guests also enjoy food and drinks, a live and silent auction, live music and a Heads or Tales game all while watching the Kentucky Derby. All proceeds from the event help benefit the Community Food Pantry in Tool.

Monitor Photo/Janice Grubbs Vincik
Hosts Caroline and Greg Figueroa invite guests to their home for a fun afternoon full of activities during their Derby Day Party and fundraising event May 3. Guests enjoy food and drinks, a live and silent auction, live music, poolside mingling and watching the Kentucky Derby. All proceeds from the event benefit the Community Food Pantry in Tool. 

Monitor Photo/Janice Grubbs Vincik
Henderson County District Judge Scott McKee and wife Ashley enjoy the view by the poolside during the derby fundraising event May 3. 

Courtesy Photo
Henderson County Network Manager Jody Vincik along with wife and The Monitor’s Director of Sales Janice Grubbs Vincik are all smiles during the watch party May. 3.

Monitor Photo/Janice Grubbs Vincik
Kayla Jordan with KRT Realty and husband David Jordan, owner of Jordan Roofing enjoy mingling around poolside during the May 3 Kentucky Derby watch party and fundraising event. 

By Emily Thompson 
TOOL–What began three years ago as a festive afternoon inspired by the Kentucky Derby has grown into one of the lake area’s most beloved charitable traditions. The 3rd Annual Derby Day Party, hosted by Greg and Caroline Figueroa, brought together over 250 guests this weekend in a sold-out celebration of community, generosity and good old-fashioned Southern hospitality.
The event held to benefit the Community Food Pantry in Tool which feeds more than 400 families and 1,700 individuals every month has become a powerful example of how one couple’s vision can rally an entire region around a shared mission. With tickets at $100 per person, including amazing food and drinks, prepared by Fig’s restaurants, live music by Willy and the Wild Cards and signature Derby festivities, the party has become a can’t-miss event.
What sets it apart? “We underwrite the entire event ourselves,” Greg Figueroa told The Monitor. “That way, every single dollar raised goes straight to the food pantry. We just want to do our small part to serve this amazing community that has given us so much.”
Since its inception, the Derby Day fundraiser has contributed a sizable portion of the food pantry’s annual operating budget, helping to sustain and expand its services to those most in need.
Behind the Scenes: A Team Effort
The success of the pantry is a testament to the tireless efforts of Vicki Dumont, her husband Mayor Mike Dumont and a dedicated team of volunteers. “We couldn’t do it without the generosity of people like the Figueroas,” said Vicki Dumont. “Their commitment has made a real difference in hundreds of lives.”
For Greg and Caroline, giving back isn’t just a hobby, it’s a calling. “I see so many great people around the lake donating time and money to serve others,” Greg said. “It really made us feel blessed to live here. We just wanted to give back in a way that brings people together.”
A Legacy of Leadership and Service
In just three years, Greg Figueroa has become a cornerstone of civic and business life in the Cedar Creek Lake region. Best known as the CEO of Melinda’s Foods, he has taken the brand—famous for its line of hot sauces and condiments—from national acclaim to global success. In 2024, Numerator, a nationally recognized syndicated data research firm, ranked Melinda’s as the #1 fastest-growing food company in the United States.
But his impact doesn’t stop at the supermarket shelf.
Figueroa also serves as an elected council member for the City of Tool, the President of the Henderson County United Way and a Board Member on the Henderson County Appraisal District. He and Caroline have also launched two restaurant ventures—Fig’s Steakhouse and Fig’s Backyard—which have brought jobs, visitors and vibrant dining experiences to the lake area.
These are more than just titles, they represent a vision for regional revitalization. “We believe in building a stronger community—one that brings people together, loves one another, gives God all the glory, and creates opportunities for future generations to thrive,” Greg Figueroa shared.
What’s Next?
With Derby Day now firmly established as a community tradition, the Figueroa’s are already thinking ahead. “We’re just getting started,” said Caroline Figueroa. “Every year it gets bigger, and every year we’re amazed by how many people want to help. That tells us we’re on the right path.”
As the band played on and laughter filled the air, it was clear that the spirit of giving is alive and well in Tool and that the Figueroa’s are helping lead the charge.