By Tony Plohetski
Austin American-Statesman (Texas)
Copyright 2006 The Austin American-Statesman
All Rights Reserved

Four years ago, Austin firefighter Tim LaFuente — known among his fellow firefighters as one of the best cooks in the department — visited an East Austin senior center and had an idea: He wanted to organize a group of firefighters to cook a holiday meal for seniors.

"I thought, 'Here are people in need, and if we can do one thing a year to put a smile on their face, how little is that for us, and how big is that for them?' " LaFuente said.

Within weeks, LaFuente had gotten donations from the firefighters union to help buy ingredients and had signed up several colleagues to help him cook meals of ham, turkey, sweet potatoes and green bean casserole.

Since serving about 100 people that first year at the Conley-Guerrero Senior Center, the event has nearly tripled in size and has become the Austin Fire Department's holiday gift to East Austin's older residents.

LaFuente, who has been honored for his work by such groups as the Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the national Firehouse magazine, said he hopes to expand his project citywide, hosting the event at Palmer Auditorium instead of the senior center at 808 Nile St.

"It's really something special, and as long as I can continue to do it, I'm going to continue," said LaFuente, who grew up in Austin and dreamed of becoming either a firefighter or a chef.

This year's event, which LaFuente and firefighters simply call the Conley-Guerrero Holiday Luncheon, is scheduled for Dec. 13.

Center supervisor Amy Russell said friends and family of seniors often drive them to the event, and others ride Capital Metro buses.

They often talk enthusiastically about the luncheon weeks in advance and then trade jokes about the handsomeness of the firefighters who work as waiters and chefs, Russell said.

"They feel a bond or friendship with the firemen," she said. "They get to see them as their friends."

Geneva Townsend, 68, has attended the luncheon for several years.

"Those guys are the best cooks I've ever had," she said. "On top of that, they have so much food that you can be stuffed and still take a snack home with you in the evening."

Last year, LaFuente said, about 25 firefighters helped cook and serve meals, including Battalion Chief Rene Garza.

"It's just a great opportunity to hang out with those folks," he said. "It just makes you feel good."

LaFuente has added to this year's luncheon by asking the Austin Fire Department bagpipe band and the Travis High School mariachi band to play.

"We get a kick out of doing it," LaFuente said. "The hugs and the smiles and the tears, you can't buy that anywhere."