SISTER LAKES — The Strand Brewery and Grill is hosting a weekend of events to give back to the local volunteer fire department.

The Strand Brewery and Grill will be hosting a silent auction from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday filled with more than 35 items. Proceeds will benefit the Sister Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, a community fire station. From 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, The Strand will also team up with Sister Lakes Brewing Company to host a Trunk or Treat. Items in a bake sale will be sold with all proceeds benefiting the fire department.

While brainstorming ways The Strand could give back to the community, manager Kassandra Cottrell suggested they stay local. Cottrell, who has been an employee of The Strand since day one, grew up in the Sister Lakes area around many of the firefighters. She also lives in a coverage area that the Sister Lakes Volunteer Fire Department is responsible for patrolling and protecting in case of a fire or emergency.

“These guys will run into a burning building for us. Why not help them since they are all volunteer?” Cottrell said.

The event, which started off as just a silent auction, has now snowballed into a weekend of activities to help raise funds.

The Strand, which is in its third year of business, has traditionally donated to other silent auctions and giveaways when events are being hosted. This year, they wanted to do a charity event in their own space. The brewery and grill’s plan is to start hosting a fundraising event once or twice a year.

Cottrell said the community and local businesses’ support in donating items has “blown her mind” and shown the positive side of people coming together to help their public safety departments.

When Cottrell brought the idea to Fire Chief Anthony Lozada, he offered to have the volunteers assist The Strand with everything they needed.

Cottrell said the fire department plans to be at all the events this weekend and will contribute in any way possible.

“A couple of the firefighters have been going with me to talk to people about donations for the event,” Cottrell said. “They’ve been helping do the footwork, which has been fantastic.”

Overall, Cottrell said The Strand has spent two to three months working on putting the fundraiser together and figuring out the logistics. Through working on the event during open hours in her schedule, Cottrell has witnessed how much the event has grown with both the community and local fire department’s support.

“The fire department has asked us, ‘what can we do for you?’” Cottrell said. “They are very grateful, and it makes me feel good about doing the fundraiser for them.”