Young firefighters extinguish cancer

by Kelly Bell/Special to ETR

The students of Kilgore College (KC) Fire Academy #75 are making a statement in the crusade against cancer as they stop shaving in honor of the first-ever “Mustache Invitational Softball Tournament for Cancer.” Their uniformly hairy lips will identify them as members of emergency health and safety professionals also dedicated to combating the scourge of cancer.

Each team will be composed of at least 10 players, with an entry fee of $10 per person or $100 per team. All players will be public service personal such as policemen, firemen or paramedics. The tournament will take place 9:00 a.m. November 14.

KC Fire Academy #75 class officers Chris Brown of Tyler, Ash Peters of Victoria, British Columbia and Tim Dopko of Kelowna, British Columbia are organizing the tournament, and came up with the mustache angle from watching old fireman videos in which virtually every fire fighter had a huge growth of hair on his top lip, and from something called “Movember,” which is a yearly, month-long event in November. This is where men grow mustaches to arouse solidarity for mens’ health issues. The games will be played at the Kilgore Youth Sports Complex on Highway 135 North. Teams must register to play by November 11. The public is also encouraged to come to the KC Fire Academy #75 commencement in Kilgore at 6:30 p.m. on December 7.

“Movember is really big where I come from,” said Dopko. “We thought it was a great idea, and we could do something like it here to raise money for the American Cancer Society.”

Brown pointed out that all the tournament’s proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society, and that those involved in the event will also receive something.

“All participants will also receive free blue mustaches to wear at the tournament if they wish,” he said.

Brown also revealed that the games are in celebration of the KC Fire Academy’s 20th anniversary and Kilgore College’s 75th anniversary. Also, it is being put on by the 75th KC Fire Academy. Brown also revealed that not only KC, but Aramark is supplying hotdogs, hamburgers, snacks and drinks for the event. Main Street Flowers and Gifts, Brookshire’s, the American Cancer Society, Zaps and Frito Lay are also acting as sponsors.

“If someone doesn’t want to play softball, but just wants to come and hang out, that’s fine, too,” said Brown. “We’ll accept donations during the tournament, also.”

To register a team or for general information contact Ash Peters at (903) 279-9142 or at greatmustache@hotmail.com.

The students of Kilgore College (KC) Fire Academy #75 are making a statement in the crusade against cancer as they stop shaving in honor of the first-ever “Mustache Invitational Softball Tournament for Cancer.” Their uniformly hairy lips will identify them as members of emergency health and safety professionals also dedicated to combating the scourge of cancer.

Each team will be composed of at least 10 players, with an entry fee of $10 per person or $100 per team. All players will be public service personal such as policemen, firemen or paramedics. The tournament will take place 9:00 a.m. November 14.

KC Fire Academy #75 class officers Chris Brown of Tyler, Ash Peters of Victoria, British Columbia and Tim Dopko of Kelowna, British Columbia are organizing the tournament, and came up with the mustache angle from watching old fireman videos in which virtually every fire fighter had a huge growth of hair on his top lip, and from something called “Movember,” which is a yearly, month-long event in November. This is where men grow mustaches to arouse solidarity for mens’ health issues. The games will be played at the Kilgore Youth Sports Complex on Highway 135 North. Teams must register to play by November 11. The public is also encouraged to come to the KC Fire Academy #75 commencement in Kilgore at 6:30 p.m. on December 7.

“Movember is really big where I come from,” said Dopko. “We thought it was a great idea, and we could do something like it here to raise money for the American Cancer Society.”

Brown pointed out that all the tournament’s proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society, and that those involved in the event will also receive something.

“All participants will also receive free blue mustaches to wear at the tournament if they wish,” he said.

Brown also revealed that the games are in celebration of the KC Fire Academy’s 20th anniversary and Kilgore College’s 75th anniversary. Also, it is being put on by the 75th KC Fire Academy. Brown also revealed that not only KC, but Aramark is supplying hotdogs, hamburgers, snacks and drinks for the event. Main Street Flowers and Gifts, Brookshire’s, the American Cancer Society, Zaps and Frito Lay are also acting as sponsors.

“If someone doesn’t want to play softball, but just wants to come and hang out, that’s fine, too,” said Brown. “We’ll accept donations during the tournament, also.”

To register a team or for general information contact Ash Peters at (903) 279-9142 or at greatmustache@hotmail.com.

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February 09, 2010