AUBURN — The president of the local firefighters union said fundraising efforts might be causing confusion among local residents.

Auburn firefighter Mike Scott, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 797, said his group has hired a marketing firm to raise money for their children’s fund and to spread the word about a May 17 comedy show at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center in Lewiston.

“As far as we knew, there was nothing else going on,” Scott said. “But (the fire station has) apparently gotten a few phone calls. One was from a woman asking about the comedy show. And another was a woman who got a call about raising money for a smoke house. And nobody knows anything about that.”

Auburn fire Chief Frank Roma said that other state and national groups have been calling Auburn residents as well, raising money for other causes.

“We just want to make sure that if people want to donate, they donate to a good cause and are not just giving money to someone who is going to put it in their pocket,” Roma said.

Scott said the marketing effort is aimed at selling tickets to the comedy show. The union is requesting $10 donations for each ticket.

“We are telling people that they can leave the check in an envelope on their door and someone will come by to get the check and leave the tickets,” Scott said. “It’s easier that way, but it may sound kind of fishy to some people. But if they don’t know, or if they want more information, they can call me.”

Scott said his cellphone number is 576-2234.

“And every call our guys are making are being recorded,” Scott said. “If someone has a concern, just let us know the date and the time and we can run back the tape and listen. We want to run a respectable fundraiser, and that’s what we’re holding our callers to.”

staylor@sunjournal.com

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