Guns and Hoses Hits One Out of the Park for Special Olympics

The first “Guns and Hoses” softball tournament was held last Saturday at the Firemen’s Sports Arena in Farmville. “Guns and Hoses” is the name of a nationally recognized fundraising effort. State and local law enforcement, fire and rescue, military personnel, and their families all participate in the ‘Guns and Hoses” movement to help provide support to, and awareness of, their favorite organizations or charities. All across the nation there are softball, golf, even ice hockey, and boxing teams organized, and tournaments played every year for the sake of this kind of support. All of the proceeds of the tournament played in Farmville on Saturday, along with the funds raised by Division Three of the Virginia State Police will go to support Virginia Special Olympics.

Kimberly Boettcher, of the Virginia State Police, coordinated this year’s event.  There was a total of four teams: Company 8 First Due – Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, One Bad Company – Farmville Fire Department, Rieger’s Rangers – Virginia State Police and the Go Getters – Buckingham Correctional Center. After a full day of family fun and good natured, competitive play, first place went to the Go Getters, second place went to One Bad Company followed by Rieger’s Rangers and Company Eight First Due respectively. When asked what the winning scores were, nobody seemed to remember, or even much care. It was evident that the most important things were the opportunity to support the Virginia Special Olympics, and to have fun.

After a small trophy ceremony at the end of the tournament, a truly special event took place; an exhibition game between the “Area 12 Special Olympics Softball team and a Law Enforcement Torch Run Team comprised of several members of each participating tournament team,” according to coordinator Kimberly Boettcher. “It was the highlight of the whole event. I was truly amazed at the skill level and abilities these athletes have,” she added. “It was an awesome opportunity for those present to see their abilities, not disabilities.”

The event Saturday also helped the local travel ball teams. The Southside Xtreme 14U, 12U and 10U not only raise money through selling concessions, but gave the youth some life experience, a chance to be involved and active in community service. Likewise, Prospect Fire Department added to the donation totals by raffling off prizes and returning all of the proceeds to Special Olympics of Virginia. The Town of Farmville and Farmville Recreation, also in the spirit of giving, donated the ball field for the event, and a very special thanks is extended to the town from all who were involved.

The efforts to support and raise awareness about the Special Olympics of Virginia by the local “Guns and Hoses,” and the “Law Enforcement Torch Run” organizations remain ongoing. On September 13th and 14th, in cooperation with Ruby Tuesday’s restaurants in Farmville and Lynchburg, the local “Law Enforcement Torch Run” is hosting a “Community GiveBack Program.” It works by simply carrying in and presenting one of the specially marked flyers that are set out in the area. Ruby Tuesday’s has pledged to donate 20% of all participants’ purchases on those two days to Special Olympics of Virginia, Inc. The work continues…..

It is estimated that Special Olympics serves some 4.4 million athletes in more than 200 programs in more than 170 different countries. They are dedicated to “empowering these individuals to become physically fit, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.”(Special Olympics 2014)  It is the combination of private donations and  collaborative fundraising events like the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Guns and Hoses leagues and tournaments, Biker Buddies for Life (see Southside Messenger, June 3, 2014) that make it possible for these athletes to compete on the world’s stage. For more information on Special Olympics, and what you can do to help, visit their website at www.specialolympics,org.