NATCHEZ &045; The annual Fireman’s Ball will heat up the night Saturday at the Natchez Convention Center, and it’s all for a good cause.

Actually, make that two causes. Half of the proceeds from this year’s ball &045; set to start at 8 p.m. &045; will go to the Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross, which also received $6,000 from last year’s event.

&uot;That goes to a special account for Adams County folks, people affected locally by things like flood and fires,&uot; said fire Cmdr. Stan Owens, a longtime organizer of the event. &uot;It helps put food in their bellies and gives them a place to stay for a day or two.&uot;

The rest of the event’s proceeds will go to repair, paint and replace carpet in the old clubhouse at Duncan Park. Formerly used by a Vietnam veterans organization, the Natchez Fire Department now uses it for meetings and for its annual barbecue fund-raiser.

And thanks to generous sponsorships, Owens said, the entire event will be paid for, so all proceeds from ticket sales will go straight to those causes.

In past years, the event has raised almost $70,000 to purchase such gear as a thermal imaging device, Jaws of Life equipment and breathing equipment for all the department’s firefighters.

Some of last year’s funds went to help Holy Family Catholic School rebuild its convent after a February 2001 fire.

That amount also included more than $13,000 raised to benefit the families of New York firefighters killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks.

On a related note, Matt Moore, a New York firefighter who visited the Natchez Fire Department shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, will attend the Fireman’s Ball again this year with his father.

Owens said that in keeping with this year’s theme &045; &uot;Hot, Hot, Hot&uot; &045; attendees are encouraged to wear anything with a chili pepper pattern. But as in past years, the dress code allows for both casual wear and formal attire, Owens said.

&uot;Dress up or dress down &045; just get dressed and come on,&uot; Owens said, adding that the band Groove Line will provide this year’s entertainment. The Natchez Eola Hotel will cater the event.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and can be bought at any Natchez fire station.

or from any firefighter.