Fundraiser Planned After Greendale Firefighter Loses Home To Fire

GREENDALE, WI — A fundraising event to benefit Greendale Fire Lt. Mike Schmitt and his family after they lost their home in a fire is coming to Root River Lanes in Franklin on March 25, according to Greendale Fire Chief Kenten Kais.

Schmitt's own Greendale battalion was called out the night of the fire, Feb. 14, to help fight it. Chief Kais previously told Patch the damages to the Schmitts' home appeared to be a total loss. An online fundraiser was started after the fire by the union, and now, an in-person event to benefit Schmitt and his family is coming to Root River Lanes.

Fortunately, Schmitt's wife and children escaped the house fire uninjured. The fire seemed to have started in the garage of the house. Schmitt has been a firefighter in Greendale for 25 years,according to Kais.

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Kais told Patch Wednesday the benefit event at Root River Lanes will feature raffles, a silent auction, a cookout including brats and hotdogs, and a bar. Different agencies from around the area have been donating items for the benefit, Kais said.

"The biggest thing is trying to get the Schmitt family back to some type of normalcy, and this is certainly going to help in that realm," Kais said.

Some of the bigger items to be auctioned off at the event are photographs of the Milwaukee Bucks after their 2021 NBA Championship win and a car detailing kit worth about $350, Kais said.

The benefit event will take place at Root River Lanes, 7220 Rawson Avenue in Franklin, on March 25 from 5-9 p.m.