Dixon Firefighters Fire Up the Grill For a Good Cause

Members of the held a unique fundraiser Thursday evening for this year's Relay for Life event, raising more than $4,000 for the cause. 

The firefighters served tri-tip dinners, complete with beans, potato salad and a dinner roll to people who drove to the fire station with one of 400 dinner tickets that the fire department pre-sold at $10 apiece. Specially-designed pink and purple shirts, in honor of cancer survivors and victims, were also sold at the dinner bringing in additional funds.

The drive-thru barbecue was hosted by Dixon Professional Firefighters Association explained firefighter/paramedic Steve Coleman, and the funds raised Thursday will be donated under the department's 2011 Relay For Life team.

Coleman said that for the past three years, the department has held the dinner as a way to be involved in the community for a worthy cause.

Cars lined up in the back of the fire station, where a whole cadre of volunteers and firefighters greeted them with dinners at the ready. 

Dixon's Relay for Life event this year is set for Saturday, June 11, at the Dixon May Fair grounds, beginning at 9 a.m. Each year the event draws hundreds of volunteers from dozens of local businesses and community groups in Dixon and is one of the most popular events in town.

The American Cancer Society hosts Relay For Life events throughout the state in an effort to raise funds for cancer research and treatment.

Anyone who missed Thurday's dinner will have another opportunity to dine while giving to the cause. The Dixon Moose Lodge will be hosting a spaghetti dinner on Saturday at 6 p.m. A donation of $10 is asked of everyone dining. The Moose Lodge is located at 180 W B St. For tickets, contact Carol Pruett at 974-8966

For more information visit www.relayforlife.org/dixonca