It was a full house at Applebee’s Restaurant Wednesday evening for the Manteca Firefighters Tip-a-Firefighter fundraiser benefitting the Give Every Child a Chance free tutoring services for students struggling in school.Altogether 25 off-duty firefighters and servers from Manteca Firefighters Local 1874 helped wait on customers who were encouraged to leave tips for the non-profit in a firefighter’s boot to help provide 700 struggling kids with free one-on-one tutoring services. Through various programs, GECAC serves more than 4,000 students annually.The event began at 5 p.m. with two firefighters — Captain Derek George and Chase Keener — greeting the dinner crowd at the door. Parked at the curb was an old red Nash Rambler fire chief’s car that brought back memories of yesteryear for many.Firefighter Kenton Shipherd was opening the inside door for the early diners with a smile.Applebee’s general manager Jim Trondsen welcomed the annual event saying, “I think it’s fabulous – a great event.”