Firefighters host Chilifest

The Windsor and Detroit fire departments have kicked off the holiday season with Christmas music, toys and bowls of chili.

The St. Clair Centre of the Arts hosted fire stations 2, 4, 7, Fire Dispatch and Detroit FD Engine 41 this past Friday, November 13, as they kicked off the Windsor Firefighters Annual Chilifest. Having teamed up with Jules Gouin, a local musician, the fire departments organized the chili fest to contribute to a toy drive for local underprivileged children. The proceeds will also go towards the Firefighter Benefit Fund, a fund supporting the community. Aside from having access to seemingly endless chili, patrons will be able to purchase an autographed copy of Gouin’s new CD, The Peace of Christmas, and Jules in return will donate $5 to the toy drive fund for every CD sold.

“Today, I think we’re going to have 45 or 47 different kinds of chili from restaurants that donated,” said John Polkey, a co-convener to the event and member of the Windsor Fire Department. This year was the 25-year anniversary for the Chilifest, and they had more chilies this year than any other year. According to Polkey, they had around 40 in previous years. Over 40 restaurants contributed chili to the event, some of the notable ones being Caesar’s Casino Windsor, The City Grill and Moxie’s.

“Everyone can put their own special touches to chili, it’s not all the same,” said Colin Loebach, a newly-hired firefighter at station 7 in Windsor. Loebach said that chili is the perfect dish for an event like this. “It’s cold out so everyone could use a little chili.”

This event serves a purpose for the firefighters as well, according to Scott Killen, a Windsor firefighter of 20 years.

“It’s a great event for raising money, but it’s good for the fire fighters as well,” says Killen. “It brings all our firefighters out here and we have a good time, it raises morale.” Killen says it’s important for the department to experience the togetherness that an event like this brings.

Jules Gouin, a local musician who has partnered with the fire departments to hold this event, said an event like this brings up the morale of the community as well. Gouin donated $5 from every CD he sold at the event towards the toy drive. He said people need calm music and hot food around this time of year, which is why he feels his involvement is a natural fit for the event.

People in the community need events like this, according to Margaret Fisher, a member of the community who attended the event. “We’ve come before, and it’s big every time,” said Fisher. “They raise money for the toy drive, and it helps families that are in need. That’s great.”

For more information about the proceeds, visit the Windsor Fighters website at windsorfirefighters.org.