Submitted Photo The Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary will hold a fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 6, for Debbie Brandt, a member of the organization in need of a double lung transplant.

While the Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary is used to hosting two Chiavetta’s chicken barbecue fundraisers each year, a special event is being planned in August for a different cause.

Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary member Debbie Brandt is in need of a double lung transplant, so the auxiliary turned to its normal fundraising strategy to try and help her out.

“They usually do pretty well,” said auxiliary member Julie Sek. “It’s one of our normal fundraisers and we thought it would be a good route to start with.”

The benefit, which will take place on Friday, Aug. 6, from 3-6 p.m. at the East Dunkirk Fire Hall, will feature many of the normal amenities provided by the Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary’s regularly scheduled barbecues. The organization will have its normal sides of mashed potatoes and gravy with green beans, to join the Chiavetta’s chicken. The other big draw of the events is the drive through option.

“Instead of having to get out of the car, you can stay in the drive through,” Sek said. “That’s one of the big draws of our fundraisers is being able to stay in your car. People can certainly come in if they’d like, it is open for that, but you don’t have to.”

Additionally, the August fundraiser will also have a basket raffle and a fill-the-boot option, allowing patrons to donate money at their convenience. The Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary was also gifted a wheelbarrow for a wheelbarrow of cheer raffle that will also take place and be drawn at the fundraiser.

Typically, the auxiliary hosts one barbecue in March, and one in April; the April event in 2020 wasn’t held, and the group did not hold their March event this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Typically, these fundraisers go to support other parts of the fire department but with a member in need, the August fundraiser has a different focus.

“They usually are done to raise money to help our firefighters,” Sek said. “They’re in the process of building an addition to the hall to house the fire trucks. With Athenex coming out, we’ve needed to increase our fire trucks for protection of our area. But one of our own is in need, so we’re doing something special here.”

Tickets for the August fundraiser can be purchased at Big Rick’s One Stop or the Fourth Ward Deli at a cost of $12. While the fundraisers held by the Dunkirk Ladies Auxiliary typically take place on Wednesday afternoons, Sek is hoping the Friday time slot works just as well for people. For more information about the fundraiser, contact Sek.