They fight fires and serve beer, chili, too
Lombard firefighters have traded in their fire hoses this month for a beer tap to benefit charity.
Off-duty firefighters will be serving a special brew, named Fire Chief Ale, from 4 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight Thursdays in March at Rock Bottom Brewery in Lombard to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They also will collect tips in a firefighter boot for the cause.
A portion of proceeds from the sale of the ale throughout the month at the Yorktown Mall location on Highland Avenue and the Warrenville venue will go toward the MDA's local Fox Valley Chapter, which serves Kane and DuPage counties.
"It's actually really good," Lombard firefighter Tom Tulipano said of the beer.
Warrenville firefighters also have joined the battle against neuromuscular diseases, but are attacking with some different tactics at the Warrenville Rock Bottom, 28256 Diehl Road.
Both departments are holding chili cook-offs at their respective Rock Bottom venues. Up to a dozen area fire departments are expected at each site to compete for bragging rights and to help raise some money.
For $10, you can get a "bottomless bowl" -- a taste of each entry -- and judge for yourself whose concoction sparks a five-alarm fire on your taste buds. A glass of Fire Chief Ale also comes with the donation.
"You could taste as much chili as you like," Lombard firefighter Greg Orlando said.
Adds MDA Fox Valley District Director Shonna Holien: "It's quite a good deal."
Warrenville holds its contest between 5:30 and 7 p.m. March 20, while Lombard will set mouths ablaze from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 25. In Lombard, a silent auction will offer bidders a chance at dinner with a firefighter, to be scheduled for a later date. Six firefighters are up for auction.
In Warrenville, firefighters will hold a fire safety promotion from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29 with goodies and fire prevention information. During lunch, firefighters will be guest waiters to earn tips for MDA.
Warrenville's efforts will conclude April 2 with a Fire Chief Reception. Warrenville Chief Fire Chief Jerry Kleinwachter will meet and greet Rock Bottom patrons from 5 to 7 p.m. during which specialty beers will be served paired with appetizers, Holien said. The cost is $25 per person and proceeds benefit the not-for-profit.
Each department tapped the Fire Chief Ale last Thursday during a special kickoff also featuring silent auctions. The Warrenville event netted $2,000, while the Lombard festivities generated $4,000 for the local MDA chapter, Holien reported.
"It's fabulous," Holien said. "This year, it's really exploded beyond what anyone expected."
The money raised will go toward research of 43 neuromuscular diseases, as well as to help area patients pay for doctor's appointments children's summer camps and wheelchairs and braces.
"We fundraise locally and give back locally to the clients we serve in Kane and DuPage counties. The money stays local," Holien said.