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Eat Spaghetti, Chicken While Helping Others

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

PLANT CITY - If you like to eat spaghetti and chicken, mark your calendar for June 21.

You'll be able to feast on both dishes that day and help two good causes.

Plant City Fire Rescue Local Union 2103 will sell chicken lunches from 1 to 3 p.m. in the field behind the Plant City Family YMCA at 1507 YMCA Place., just off Alexander Street. Lunch will include a half-chicken, coleslaw, beans and a roll. Tickets are $10 per meal.

From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. the same day, Plant City Entertainment will hold a spaghetti supper at Wesley Centre on the campus of First United Methodist Church of Plant City, 303 N. Evers St. The community theater's supper will include spaghetti, salad, bread, drink and dessert. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children.

Firefighter Jimmy Riley, who is coordinating the barbecue, said the proceeds of the union's event will benefit the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"The Red Cross volunteers come to the aid of all the victims of fire in our community," Riley said. "They are often on the scene, talking with the family, before the fire is out."

Janie Koike, the manager of volunteers and program development for the Red Cross, will be at the fundraiser.

"Janie and the Red Cross are part of the circle of friends that come together in the area during a time of crisis," Riley said.

Firefighters would like to get as many telephone orders in advance as possible by June 18, Riley said.

"That way we can order the right amount of chicken and other foods to prepare at the site," he said.

To place an order, call Riley at (863) 409-8442.

An off-duty fire engine and rescue vehicle will be stationed at the site. Firefighters will provide a short program describing both vehicles during the event.

Riley and other off-duty firefighters and paramedics will cook and serve the food. Any order of five lunches or more will be delivered to any address inside the city limits, Riley said.

Plant City Entertainment's spaghetti dinner is the last one of the summer season, theater board member Dodie White said.

"The proceeds will help offset the cost of scenery and royalties we pay for scripts and sheet music for the shows. Summertime royalties are quite expensive for the Broadway plays we produce. But the finished product makes it all worthwhile in the long run," she said.

The next Plant City Entertainment production is the musical "Brigadoon," to be presented at Cornerstone Center, 315 N. Collins St., on July 18, 19, 20, 25 and 26.

Some of the "Brigadoon" cast members, including a bagpiper, will perform during the spaghetti dinner.

"We always enjoy performing. And we want the audience to enjoy it, too," White said.

Call (813) 986-7141 for tickets.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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