Light Your Fire at Annual Firefighter Auction

The soreness from the might only now be subsiding, but East Pierce firefighters are continuing to raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at this Saturday’s Light My Fire Auction at Oddfellas in Auburn.

Instead of climbing stairs to show their support, the firefighters will put themselves on the auction block for a date or manual labor.

Event coordinator and Bonney Lake resident Linda Kent has volunteered with the Light My Fire auction for the past 10 years, after her Seattle firefighter husband, Lance Kent, inspired her to get involved.

“Five years ago I was asking how I could help when I was told that the previous coordinators were not planning on another auction. So I opened my mouth and here I am!” said Kent. The first year Kent organized the event, it raised more than $3,000. This year, she hopes to raise $10,000.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has teamed with the Washington State Council of Firefighters, which sponsors and produces the Firefighter Calendar in support of the Burn Foundation. Proceeds from this auction item will be split between the two charities. 

If a one-on-one date with a firefighter is too nerve-racking, attendees can bid on a "Desperate Housewives" party. The winner and her girlfriends can invite the guys from the 2011 firefighter calendar over to have some fun. Other items include fire station dinner parties, hotel stays, gift baskets, an XBOX 360, surfing lessons and firefighter apparel.

Another big donation came from the Mariners. Current Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez and retired stars Edgar Martinez and John Olerud autographed baseballs, jerseys and even first base. 

The Labor or Lust auction includes bids for four hours of labor from a firefighter, or a four-hour date in a public place. Each firefighter has something different to offer. There is even a pair of firefighters offering four hours of yard maintenance for a total of eight hours of work on any project you may have. 

Several East Pierce Firefighters are expected to be up for auction and have dedicated many hours to the event coordination. 

The evening wraps up with a big party and performance by local classic rock band, 3rd Degree. It just happens that Lance Kent, Lisa's husband, is the lead vocalist for the band. 

“It’s a great place to do some gift shopping because there are some really great things for sale,” said Kent.

And, all items come with a tax-deductible receipt … even the firefighter dates!

Join East Pierce firefighters and their comrades at the Light My Fire party and auction at Oddfellas in Auburn (102 W. Main St.) on Saturday, March 26. The auction begins at 7 p.m.