The bar at the Hillsdale Brewing Company. Calli Townsend | Collegian

The Hillsdale Brewing Company will host a charity event to raise money for cancer treatment for retired Allen Village Fire Chief Paul Lewis on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. 

“Paul is a friend and a Mug Club member, so the event just made sense to be put on here,” said Felicia Finch, co-owner of Hillsdale Brewing, who is hosting the event. “The event is $25 at the door, and that gets you dinner, which is pulled pork, mac-n-cheese, coleslaw, and tea, lemonade or water, alcoholic beverages will be extra, but all proceeds go to the retired chief.” 

Lewis has to drive to Ann Arbor and Brighton several times a week for treatment and will be having surgery at the end of September, according to an Allen Township Fire Department Facebook post.

“Paul is one of those guys that you can count on, just a dependable guy,” said Deputy Chief Rick Riggs, a 20-year veteran volunteer firefighter out of the Jonesville Fire Department. You knew when you showed up on scene and he was there, that he would get the job done. He is a real go-getter.” 

Finch said Lewis is currently undergoing radiation treatment for a rare form of cancer called myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma.

“We see people on their worst days, it usually isn’t a great day to see our truck outside your house, or beside your car on the side of the road. The type of person who volunteers to run into the danger is special, and that’s what Chief Lewis is,” Riggs said. “That’s what all our volunteers are. Paul could be counted on when times were tough. Just a wonderful guy.”