COEUR d'ALENE - The Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 will be putting the "fun" in "fundraiser" this Saturday, putting their veterans in blingin' bras.

"We try to come up with fun, extreme ways to let people know who we are, why we are here and what we do," said Ladies Auxiliary President Christie Beeler. "We have a plethora of different men, shapes, sizes and eras."

The "Bling out of Spring" decorated bra auction will be from 4-6 p.m. at the Coeur d'Alene Fort Sherman Bandshell, where local veterans will be sharing a laugh as they model "bling" bras and raise money for local distressed veterans and their families. Beeler said the inspiration for the auction was a ladies auxiliary in Alaska that hosted a "ladies in boxers" auction, so "we took that and said, 'Let's put some men in some bras.'"

"Ladies auxiliary is tired of not being known, so we want to get out there," Beeler said. "We're not a bunch of people sitting around trying to make a difference, we are making a difference. We need the community's help in order to do that."

While the gentlemen in ladies undergarments will be an entertaining sight, Beeler explained the reason for the auction is much more serious.

"The 'why' is an emotional heart tug," she said. "We have these veterans, especially the younger ones, coming home with no way to get back into society. It pulls at our hearts that 22 veterans and one active military a day die."

The bling bras were decorated and donated by local businesses and all of the proceeds from the event will go to local distressed veterans and their families. Hot dogs and water will be available for donations.

VFW Ladies auxiliaries promote patriotism, offer youth scholarships, protect veterans' entitlements and serve local communities in many ways.

Info: www.ladiesauxvfw.com