ATHENS – They’ll be swapping their guns and hoses for bats and balls next month – and it’s all for a good cause.
The annual First Responders Softball Tournament, hosted by the Athens Police Department and Athens Fire & Rescue, is set for Aug. 16 at the Athens Sportsplex.
Local first responders will be joined by first responders from across the region for a day of charity, camaraderie and community engagement.
“Our departments have always worked well together, so we have always thought of things to do together outside of work,” said Athens Police Detective Joe McClanahan. “Of course, we share a passion to help our community, but a lot of our guys share a passion for softball, as well. The first year we did the tournament, we raised money to help an officer here at APD get a service dog.
“This year’s tournament will benefit the annual Shop with a Firefighter and our Christmas Day presents giveaway.”
The Athens Fire & Rescue Auxiliary’s annual Shop with a Firefighter event pairs firefighters with families and children from the community for a special holiday shopping experience. Children learn about the importance of budgeting and the difference between wants and needs, as they can spend half of the money they receive on toys or games and half on necessities.
The Athens Police Department’s Christmas Day presents giveaway also brings joy to families in need. For several years, APD has bought toys to pass out while on their shifts on Christmas morning. Both events embody the spirit of the Athens community and giving.
The tournament is open to teams consisting of 7 out of 10 players being first responders; church teams are welcome to join.
“We work so closely with APD, and we all know each other so well, that you’ll definitely hear some trash talking going on,” said AFR Chief James Hand. “It’s obviously all in good fun, and it’s for a great cause, so it’s going to be pretty competitive.
“We’re grateful to have such a great relationship with all of the local first responders, and this is just one way for us to continue to build on those relationships while giving back to the community.”
For sponsorship and registration information, contact Detective Joe McClanahan or Driver/EMT Martin Ezell at 256-777-2947. The sponsorship deadline is July 21.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
