March 10th, 2009
Supports Local Family and Future Fireman
 

Charity Event Information:
Charity Dodge Ball Tournament for Cystic Fibrosis

Learn more about this Family:
Great Strides 2009 Walking for Logan Video

Press Release(s):
Press Release - Word Document

Daily News Media Story:
Northwest Florida Daily News Article

Photos of Logan visiting the firehouse

(Begin Press Release)
##################

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9th, 2009

Contact: OCWFD, Public Information Officer

Contact Person: Capt. Ryan Christen

Telephone Number: 850-862-1185 

Email Address: rgchristen@ocwfcd.org    

Web site address: http://www.ocwfcd.org

OCW Firefighters Participating in Charity Dodge Ball Tournamnet

At 9:00 A.M. Saturday, March 14th the Ocean City-Wright Firefighters will be competing in a charity dodge ball tournament at Fort Walton Beach High School. The tournament is a charity fundraiser event to help raise money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States, and is a life-threatening disease. Currently, there is no cure for cystic fibrosis. However, specialized medical care, aggressive drug treatments, and therapies, can lengthen and improve the quality of life for those with CF. Many children with CF however, do not live into adulthood.

The tournament, titled “Dodging CF”, is organized by a local family, Bobby and Tammie Helton with help from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Helton’s son Logan, 5 years old, suffers from cystic fibrosis and is hoping to one day become a firefighter and an astronaut. Everyday Logan has to take more medicine than most of us handle, plus airway clearance treatments, and breathing treatments.   

The Helton’s have brought Logan up to the Ocean City-Wright Fire Department several times to meet the firefighters and see the trucks. For Halloween Logan even dressed as a fireman and came by the station to show the firefighters his costume, and get a kid’s fire helmet.

The members of the Ocean City Wright Professional Firefighters Association have entered two teams in Saturday’s tournament, and are also helping to sponsor the event. The sponsor fees and entry fees were paid for by the Firefighters Union.

Logan has become a friend of ours. He is a great kid with a huge heart and a great family.
This is a local family that needs our support, and the support of the community. This is our second year participating in this charity event. This year, we would like to issue a public challenge to other public safety organizations and businesses in the community to sign up and play. As more teams register, more money is raised to help the family, and our young friend Logan. We are urging as many people as possible to sign up and support this great cause. Come out and challenge your local firefighters to game of dodge ball, and help us support the Helton family.

######
(Press Release is finished)

Fire Department Contact:
Capt. Ryan Christen

OCWFCD Public Information Officer

rgchristen@ocwfcd.org

Additional Information 
about Cystic Fibrosis:
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

www.cff.org

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MEDIA INFORMATION MAIN PAGE