WYANDOTTE — Forget the hot dogs. The Jaycees are going for the spicy stuff.

On July 18 the Wyandotte Jaycees, in conjunction with the Wyandotte Beautification Commission and Good Eats Cafe, will be raising money for the Purple Heart Memorial Garden through a hot wing-eating contest.

Each participant is required to raise $100 in order to participate in the contest that will take place outside of City Hall during the third Friday in July.

The Jaycees held a similar event two years ago around Easter to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The egg-eating contest raised more than $600 for the charity and helped recruit members into the local chapter.

"A revitalized Purple Heart Memorial Garden is something the whole community can enjoy," said Shaun Abshire, the 2006 egg-eating contest winner. "Why not be creative in helping out this important local cause?"

Abshire said the Jaycees are looking forward to working with the Beautification Commission on what they expect to be a fun event.

Good Eats Cafe will donate the hot wings. The event's participants will include several city commissioners, as well as police officers and firefighters.

The Purple Heart Memorial Garden and statue will be located on Superior, just west of Biddle Avenue. The statue, designed and sculpted by Isadore DeBiasi of River Rouge, was dedicated by Gov. Harry Kelly in 1943 during the second World War.

Wyandotte is the first city in the country to which the National Military Order of the Purple Heart commissioned and donated a monument of this type.

The statue was removed from its marble base earlier this year for bronzing, a process that will ensure its survival for generations to come.

When the statue returns, it will be moved closer to Biddle Avenue, a more visible location at the city's entryway to its downtown area. Flanking the statue will be the Walk of Honor, consisting of engraved memorial bricks, which are available for purchase by those who wish to celebrate accomplishments or in the memory of a loved one.

To find out more about the memorial garden, log on to the city's Web site at www.wyandotte.net and click on the link to the Beautification Commission.

Those interested in participating in the hot wing-eating contest can log on to the Jaycees Web site to get a participation waiver and fund-raising form at www.wyandottejaycees.org.

The contest is at 7 p.m. outside City Hall, 3131 Biddle Ave., at the corner of Maple Street. The event also will include guessing contests and prize giveaways.