LIMA — The Lima Fire Department is calling on the community to rally together to help a firefighter in need.
A poker run to benefit firefighter Jeremy Welker, who is battling a brain tumor, will begin at noon today at the American Legion Post 96, 711 South Shore Drive. Bikers participating in the approximately 60-mile run west of Lima will stop at four or five other fire departments, according to Lima Fire Chief Bruce Black.
“We’ll end back up at the American Legion Hall, where from 4 to 7 p.m., there will be a barbecue pork dinner being served,” he said. “Tickets for the dinner are $8 apiece, and there will also be games and stuff there for young children.”
Tickets for the poker run are $15 per biker and an additional $10 for any passengers. Registrations will be taken at the American Legion at noon, with the first bike out at 1 p.m. The benefit will also feature a cornhole tournament starting at 1 p.m. at the American Legion.
Wrapping up the event will be a “Battle of the Badges” softball game between the Lima Fire Department and the Lima Police Department at 7:30 p.m. at Faurot Park’s Diamond 2.
“It will be a semi-competitive softball game,” Black said with a smile. “We’ll try to treat each other nicely.”
Lima Police Lt. Andy Green said the police department is looking forward to participating in the game, noting jovially that the fire department might be a little more practiced than its law enforcement counterpart since, of course, police officers have to put in a busier day’s work.
“The real point of it is, while there is a rivalry between the police and fire departments, but for something like this, we’re putting that aside because it’s all to benefit this Lima firefighter who’s battling cancer,” he said.
To learn more about the benefit, contact the Lima Fire Department at 419-221-5151.
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