What the Columbus area firefighters lacked in roller derby points on the skating floor was made up in their popularity in taking on the TerrorZ team to benefit the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund.
The 12-member firefighters team was close, but still behind at the end of the roller derby match Sunday at Columbus Skateland.
The TerrorZ team had 96 points from skating action during the match compared to the firefighters’ 93 points, said Columbus firefighter Ben Noblitt, who helped organize the annual event.
But when fans were asked to throw a $1 in a boot with each buck counting as a point, the firefighters prevailed, 209 to 136 over the TerrorZ.
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In all, the Skates and Ladders fundraiser raised about $1,300 from the $5 admission charges, a raffle and the boot fill for extra points, Noblitt said.
It’s the second year in a row the firefighters have valiantly attempted to win on their skates, but instead found victory in the fill-the-boot effort.
“We’re getting better. Just wait until next year,” Noblitt said.
Noblitt said the Skates and Ladders event, which had 150 to 175 spectators this year, has almost reached the popularity of the Cheer Fund fundraiser chili cookoff in terms of participation and proceeds.
The Cheer Fund provides gifts for children in need at Christmas, with the toys that are distributed either donated by the general public or purchased by the fund.
And although the firefighters didn’t win out on the skate floor, Noblitt is confident that eventually the firefighters will become skilled enough to beat the TerrorZ at their own game of roller derby.
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The Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund is the oldest charity in Bartholomew County that depends solely on public donations for its existence. It is one of several efforts within the Columbus community at Christmas to provide the needy with useful gifts and a meaningful experience.
The Firemen’s Cheer Fund was founded by the Columbus Fire Department in 1930, when some caring firemen realized that poor children probably see few, if any, gifts under a Christmas tree. The Cheer Fund assists more than 2,000 children with gifts and conducts fundraisers throughout the year.
For more information, visit columbus.in.gov/fire/programs-events/cheer-fund/.
Source: City of Columbus
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