HEIGHTS — The Dearborn Heights Professional Fire Fighters will host its 32nd annual Chili Cook-Off and Family Picnic from now to dusk Sept. 7 at Lower Parkland Park on Ann Arbor Trail between Outer Drive and Evergreen Road.
Proceeds from the event help support the Fire Department’s Charity Fund which contributes to several local charities – including the Great Lakes Burn Camp, which supports young fire victims who have experienced injury or disfigurement by severe burns.
In addition to the chili cooking competition, the event features a host of family-oriented activities that include food and beverages, a family picnic area, a beer tent, face painting, a bounce house (and other children’s games), and a fire engine water shower. Entertainment will also be provided by The Pulse.
Donated silent auction raffle prizes for all ages totaling over $5,000 will also be raffled off at the event.
Public donations to support the event are welcome. Make checks payable to: Dearborn Heights Professional Fire Fighters Union Charity Fund (or DHPFFU Charity Fund).
A key element in the firefighters’ goal to support local charities is their ability to secure public donations.
“Public donations play a big role in the success of this event, and in our ability to help as many deserving people as possible through the charities we support,” said Firefighter Albert Tannus, one of the event’s organizers. “Donations are something we desperately need to be able to continue with the success we’ve achieved in past years.”
All donated items — electronic items, toys, tools, retail items, gift certificates and non-perishable goods — are placed on display during the event for viewing by the guests. The items are then raffled to those who purchase tickets for the prize drawing. Subsequently, the more attractive the gift, the more raffle tickets are placed in that gift’s ‘ticket canister’ for the drawing.
Cash donations are also welcome, which go directly to the various charities. All of the proceeds from the events are used to offset the charities the firefighters support. They accept no compensation for this event.
