COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS SET TO SERVE UP WISHES.

Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer

About a dozen firefighters will be serving meals and collecting tips tonight instead of battling blazes as they raise money for the local branch of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. firefighters will wait tables at Hudson's Grill, 2900 Cochran St., with the goal of collecting up to $1,000 in tips. They plan to donate the money to the charity, which helps fulfill the wishes of critically ill children.

Jessica Cieslak, a 14-year-old from Simi Valley who is fighting kidney cancer, also will be at tonight's fund-raiser. Jessica's wish is to meet talk-show host Rosie O'Donnell, but money raised tonight is not being earmarked for her specific wish.

Cieslak and her parents, Randall and Barbara, will be introduced to firefighters by Ed and June Lofton of Simi Valley, who act as liaisons between the foundation and children whose wishes are granted.

``You can't even imagine how it feels to help grant a wish. It's a beautiful feeling,'' June Lofton said.

Shanna Wasson Taylor, executive director of the Santa Barbara-based foundation, said volunteers hope to make big bucks at Tip-A-Firefighter Night, although only a $100 donation has been guaranteed.

``They expect to go way over that, but it's the first time they've done this event and they're not sure which way it will go,'' she said.

Hudson's owner Davis Beckham said he will ``Kick in a little something,'' but primarily he donates a support staff and the facility for the event. Also, he compensates staff members for the gratuities they lose by letting the firefighters do the serving.

The firefighters' $1,000 target would cover about 30 percent of the cost of the average wish. Since being founded in 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 43,000 wishes.

The local branch served 40 children last year in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and this year as many as 49 could be granted wishes, she said.

But as requests for make-a-wish services go up, so do the fund-raising demands, said Taylor.

``The Simi Valley area historically has been quite good at supporting us,'' she said.

Capt. Phil Hadley, of the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association, said his organization contributes annually to the foundation. Members decided this year to wait tables after hearing that the Simi Valley Police Department had successfully organized a similar event.

Hadley and at least 10 other firefighters will be taking orders tonight. Other firefighters will dine with their families to help raise money, he said.

``I think we'll get a whole new perspective on waiters and waitresses,'' he said. ``It's definitely going to be a two-handed night.''

Capt. Chris Johnson said the fund-raising events are an opportunity to do some good while having fun. Johnson, who has never been a waiter, predicted tonight's event could be entertaining.

``It could get pretty hilarious. I've been calling my friends and relatives. But no cameras. And I think I'll bring a change of clothes,'' he said.