Department Sells Dates with Firefighters
Firefighter Ben Rose with his date
Sunset, Utah (pop. 5,200) -- Eight single firefighters, ages 18 to 32, in Sunset, Utah, took part in a firefighter auction with pop music radio station STAR 102.7 in the fall of 2003, raising $3,000 in just one month to put toward the department’s thermal imager campaign. The radio station posted the photos of single firefighters in uniform on their website, and morning DJs emceed an on-air auction on four consecutive Fridays. Dates were as diverse as the interests of the firefighters, including a hockey game, a night at the ballet, a visit to a local comedy club, and a walk through a haunted house. Local vendors donated flowers and limousine service, adding an element of romance to the blind dates. Capt. James Weston is managing the thermal imager fundraiser for Sunset Fire & Rescue.
Capt. James Weston: “When I asked the guys to get involved, I told them, ‘I need some sacrifice. I need you to date some women.’ This was our most successful event by far. Our highest donation was $700. One date actually sparked a romance.”
Firefighter Quin Price was one of the men who participated
in the auction
Fundraising Tip: The town of Sunset had a lot of fun with this event and drew a great deal of attention to its campaign. What a creative way to raise money! Consider talking with radio station promoters about supporting your campaign through involvement in publicity.