LONE TREE, CO — Fitness professionals and firemen battled it out to raise more than $1,300 in two hours for a children's hospital's burn unit. Twelve Lady of America employees competed against six firemen from the 2005 Colorado Fireman Calendar in a tipping war at Carrabas Italian Grill in Lone Tree, CO.
“The bar had a seating capacity of 110, and 250 people came,” said Lady of America franchise owner Lauri Bradley. “It was standing room only, and people had to wait to get in the bar. It was amazing.”
At the end of the two hours, the health club won the competition with nearly twice as many tips. The group exercise instructors, personal trainers and front desk employees raised $890 while the firemen raised $474. Bartending is hard work, Bradley said.
“We were really hustling,” Bradley says. “The firemen were there for good looks.”
The club staff and fireman took orders while the wait staff volunteered two hours of their time to make drinks for the patrons.
In addition to raising money for a charitable cause, the club got a lot of free publicity in the local paper, Bradley said.
“It was a great promotion for us,” she said. “It was so much fun.”