Ten Publicity Hounds have lots of ideas for Brien Farley of Genesee, Wisconsin who wants to promote the Wales Genesee Volunteer Fire Department. The department is raising money to build a new station.
From Karen Fiala of Gold Cost, Australia:
I was in the local shopping mall last week when I was approached by a member or our local fire department. Apparently they were selling calendars of the firemen. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.
From Candy Tutt of Woodland, California:
Involve the kids. Have the local 4-H, FFA, Scouts, Campfire, etc. groups–even individual classes at schools–make fire hydrants out of cardboard, wire, fabric, paper mache, whatever. Then auction them off to local businesses, at a Chamber of Commerce meeting (or similar civic gathering). Get someone who really knows how to call an auction: this will make a big difference. Send press releases to the newspapers so everyone will know that having one of the fire hydrants in their place of business is a sign that they support the effort. Maybe get a local pizza place to throw in a pizza party for the group whose hydrant brings in the most money.
From Phyllis Cambria of Coconut Creek, Florida:
Stage a spaghetti or four-alarm chili cook-off with firefighters making the meals and sell tickets. They did it on Long Island and the place was packed.
Lots of bachelors/bachelorettes? Hold an auction for a date with a real, live hero.
If other fire departments in your area need funds too, hold a competition among the departments and split the money raised from ticket sales.