Firefighter Willie West has served the community for 10 years, and now his fellow firefighters are asking for the community’s help. This weekend the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District’s firefighters host a pasta feed fundraiser in honor of West, who is battling prostate cancer.

“Willie has been serving and supporting this community for years, so now we’re asking the community to take a day to support him,” said ECCFPD Battalion Chief Brian Helmick.

The pasta feed is scheduled for Saturday, March 24 from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. at Veterans Hall, 757 First St. in Brentwood. The fundraiser features live music and raffles, a jump house and face painting for the kids, plus a silent auction. Tickets ($20) are on sale at the ECCFPD office, 134 Oak St. in Brentwood.

Organizers have received an outpouring of support from local businesses that have donated items for the raffle and silent auction. “We’ve got more than $1,000 worth of prizes up for grabs,” Helmick said. “We’ve got sports packages, dinner packages and a whole lot more. It’s going to be great.”

West, an Antioch resident, makes a cameo appearance shortly after 4 p.m. The event showcases the return of local band Inside Outside, which headlines the evening. To top it off, ECCFPD Director Bob Kenny’s fulfills his promise to shave his long, Santa-like beard.