MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — A Marshall County Competition is bringing the community together for a cause close to many first responders’ hearts.
The Blueberry Beast powerlifting competition at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival made its debut this year, but it isn’t just about seeing who can lift the most weight.
It’s a chance to bring the community together to support a good cause, fundraising for Project Fire Buddies.
The Plymouth Fire Department is one of its local chapters.
Project Fire Buddies is a national nonprofit that pairs firefighters with children battling serious or terminal illnesses.
The Blueberry Beast powerlifting competition at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival made its debut this year, but it isn’t just about seeing who can lift the most weight (WSBT Photo).
“We have 270 different chapters at this time and well over 200 Fire Buddies that have been diagnosed with the terminal illness that we’re walking alongside of right now. So that’s where your funds are going,” said Adam Baer, event coordinator and Fire Buddies member.
The powerlifting competition is organized by Plymouth fitness center FitStop24.
Organizers said they’ve been working on putting this competition on for months with a theme of “You vs. You.”
Men and women of all ages participated, powerlifting for a greater cause.
The Blueberry Beast powerlifting competition at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival made its debut this year, but it isn’t just about seeing who can lift the most weight (WSBT Photo).
“My mother’s doing it. She’s 60-some-years-old. But she’s one of our older competitors and she’s really enjoyed prepping for it. Anytime we can do a local event and keep local money with local families, I think that’s a win for everybody,” said Burke Richeson, Blueberry Beast competition director.
There are 13 Fire Buddy chapters in Indiana.
In May, the Plymouth Fire Department officially became a chapter, and most recently, the Mishawaka Fire Department.
Firefighters visit children battling serious or terminal illnesses and their families and bring presents and their company.
Those with the nonprofit said those visits can help bring bright moments during a family’s hardest days.
The Blueberry Beast powerlifting competition at the Marshall County Blueberry Festival made its debut this year, but it isn’t just about seeing who can lift the most weight (WSBT Photo).
“Mishawaka Fire Local 360 is a chapter of Fire Buddies. So kind of help represent and bring some awareness to the charity because not a lot of people know that it exists. I’m looking forward to being able to provide that charity and that fun for those kids,” said Andrew Mars, Mishawaka Fire Department paramedic.
Click here to learn more about the Project Fire Buddies nonprofit.
