This past Saturday, Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 and Firehaus teamed up to host the second annual Tip a Firefighter fundraiser. The night featured a silent auction, multiple raffles, and even a local band… all with Champaign firefighters serving the drinks from behind the bar. Tips given by bar patrons went to the fundraiser, with 80% of the night’s donations going to Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 while the remainder went to firefighter charities.
So how did our local heroes go from putting out fires and rescuing people in need to getting behind a bar and serving beer? “We wanted to create a fundraiser for the firefighters, but also make an event where people could go out and have a good time,” said Jeremy Hunt, firefighter and event organizer. “Firefighters work across three shifts, and the shifts don’t often get to see each other. This gives everyone a chance to get to know each other outside of the fire department, and it also provides another way for them to spend time with their families.”
The family-friendly event started at 4 p.m. and people packed the venue shortly after that. True to what Hunt said, there were plenty of firefighters and their families hugging, laughing, and having a good time. Firefighters also tended the bar, serving bottles, drafts, and mixed drinks under the guidance of Firehaus staff. The steady stream of patrons ordering drinks and the heat of the close quarters (the bar area was extremely warm!) did little to dampen spirits, as everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Below, firefighters get a crash course in running the register from Firehaus staff.
Below, firefighters helped serve food to customers as well!
Aside from the silent auction portion of the fundraiser, which featured prizes such as an electric guitar, sports tickets, and a date night package, there were also a few raffles. Prizes there ranged from a few hundred dollars in cash (via a 50/50 drawing) to one free weekly pizza for a year from The Esquire in downtown Champaign.
Below, Jeremy Hunt (right) and assistant announce the raffle winners.
Once the raffles were over, local band PBS kicked off in the outside seating area behind Firehaus to entertain the crowd with some classic rock tunes- playing with such spirit that a guitar string even broke in the middle of an early song!
While the fundraising portion of the night ended promptly at 9 p.m., most of the crowd stuck around for more music and to extend their night of rest and relaxation as long as they could. It was really nice to see so many people that normally spend their days either racing toward an emergency (or waiting for the next one) kick back and relax instead.
We’re looking forward to seeing the fundraiser return again next year, and we thank all of our local firefighters (and their families) for the work that they do in helping to keep the community safe.
