The Light My Fire Auction, a benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, returns March 31 at Oddfellas in Auburn.
Whether you need help with storm debris cleanup, basic yard work or a community event – or simply want a hot date – the auction is a fun and tax-deductible way to get what you desire.
Winners in the live auction gain either four hours of labor from one or more firefighters or a four-hour date from an individual firefighter. There’s also a silent auction with everything from whitewater rafting trips and baseball paraphernalia to fire station dinners and wine-tasting parties to trapeze and cooking lessons.
One lucky guest will even win a “Desperate Housewives Party” with a group of firefighters from the 2012 Firefighter Calendar, sponsored by the Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation. Firefighters featured in the calendar also will be on hand to sign the calendar.
Silent and live auction winners donate directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, with credit cards accepted. That means 100 percent of funds raised go to fight blood cancers. The benefit for LLS brings in $6,000-$12,000 each year.
“The firefighting community puts on a top-notch event – great people, amazing auction items, great entertainment – the fun factor couldn’t be higher. The icing on the cake is that it’s all for a good cause,” said Christian McLendon, owner of Oddfellas, the auction host. Firefighters from throughout the state volunteer their time for the event.
“These firefighters are amazing – many of them volunteer for the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb, which this even traditionally follows – and then give even more for this auction,” said event coordinator Linda Kent of Professional Union Firefighter.
The party starts when doors open for Light My Fire at 6 p.m. March 31 in the Rainier Room, above Oddfellas, 102 W. Main St.
Entry is a $30 donation for an individual, $50 donation for a couple. Online tickets are available at wa.support.llsevent.org. Included is a great dinner, a drink and 10 raffle tickets.
The event also includes a full night of entertainment, featuring classic rock band 3rd Degree Burn, drink specials, and the chance to meet firefighters featured in the 2012 Firefighter Calendar, some of whom are volunteering as individual auctionees. The band starts rockin’ as soon as the auction closes.
“We ensure all of our guests who come out to support Light My Fire have a fabulous time because we really appreciate the support for LLS,” Kent said. “That way, you get something back right away at this event – other than future help with chores or dates with firefighters, tax deductions and excellent silent auction items.”
Kent said there’s still time for people and businesses in the community to get involved with Light My Fire via volunteering and donating.
New this year is the opportunity for businesses and individuals in the community to become table sponsors. Cost is $250 to “buy” a table. Sponsors can choose to send people to the auction to fill the table or simply set up a sponsor display and let other attendees sit at the table.
“Participating in Light My Fire is an excellent way to get good publicity, earn goodwill in the community and achieve a tax deduction,” Kent said. “Not to mention you are marketing to the steadily-employed firefighting community and its supporters.”
First, the star climb
The auction traditionally follows the annual Scott Firefighter Stair Climb. The climb brings more than 1,500 firefighters from fire departments around the world to raise money to fight blood cancers. This year’s firefighter climb is March 11. This year, firefighters from 27 states, Canada and New Zealand will climb 69 floors – or 1,311 stairs – in this fundraising effort.
Beth Rosapepe, campaign manager for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Washington chapter, said fundraising for the society is vital.
“Each and every donation – no matter how large or small – is essential in helping to raise money to fund lifesaving research and support patients and their families,” Rosapepe said.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since 1949, the Society has invested more than $550.8 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.
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LINKS:
• For information about Leukemia and how the funds raised help: Contact Beth Rosapepe, campaign manager for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Washington chapter: 888-345-4572 or 206-957-4588, or beth.rosapepe@lls.org
• Online Tickets (will call) or table sponsorship: http://wa.support.llsevent.org/lightmyfire. Tickets and table sponsorships, donations and volunteering also may be arranged by calling Linda Kent, 253-376-5947.
• Find the event on Facebook.
• Information on the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb: www.firefighterstairclimb.org
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AUCTION SPONSORS:
• Professional Union Firefighter: www.professionalunionfirefighter.com
• Oddfellas, 102 W. Main St.. Auburn: www.oddfellaspub.com
• The WSCFF Burn Foundation Firefighters Calendar: www.firefightercalendar.org
TOP 10 IDEAS FOR AUCTION WINNERS
1. Still got storm debris? Get some helping hands and write it off on your taxes.
2. Compared to the fire truck, driving your “party van” for a night out will be a snap for your firefighter.
3. Have your firefighter help at your kids’ car washing fundraiser – or any other charity event.
4. Need a hot date for your company party or barbecue?
5. Firefighters are great at pressure washing – lots of hose practice!
6. Need that roof cleared or tree trimmed? Firefighters sure aren’t afraid to go up on ladders!
7. Got career day at your kid’s school coming up? Bring a firefighter in.
8. Moving Day always goes better when a firefighter is on the scene.
9. It’s a well-kept secret, but firefighters are actually great in the kitchen. Have one help you prep and cook meals to freeze for the future.
10. Got an ice cream social coming up? It’s a perfect fit.
