Good food. Great service. A chance to help a struggling student in need.

You can have them all on Wednesday when the Manteca Fire Department once again teams up with Applebee’s for the 13th annual Tip a Firefighter fundraiser for Give Every Child a Chance.

When Firefighter Wes Chamberlain set out to help organize the event this year, all he really ended up having to do was contact Applebee’s to secure the date and have staffers at Give Every Child a Chance to finalize the details.

The bulk of the event, he said, will come down to the public showing up to support an organization that has long benefitted the community and the children in it.

Having firefighters themselves donate their time wasn’t difficult at all given the proven track record of the free tutoring organization. Getting the chance to give back, he said, was an added perk.

“It’s about giving back to the community and helping the kids and their future,” Chamberlain said. “It seems like we’re going to get a good turnout because they realize that it’s a great cause.”

According to GECAC Executive Director Carol Davis, the fundraiser shows that the community cares “about children and their education” and that Manteca’s firefighters are dedicated to making a difference.

Throughout the night the firefighters will help Applebee’s wait staff with the job of serving each of the tables in the restaurant, and in return will receive a cut of the tip – hoping to take in between $1,200 and $1,500 by the end of the night.

“It’s a chance for them to get to know us – they only really see us during emergency situations and this isn’t like that,” said Manteca Fire Captain Sterrie McLeod. “People can come up to us and ask questions and enjoy something to eat and know that everything that they give is going to a good cause.

“People recognize how important Give Every Child a Chance is and they’re more than willing to donate. We’re looking forward to a good event.”

The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Applebee’s – located at 1272 E. Yosemite Avenue. For additional information, call (209) 823-6222.