Locals on fire in raising funds

  • 2014-10-31
San Antonio residents came up with a very unusual way to raise money for Special Olympics earlier this month; pulling a fire truck.

On October 11, a group of 10 teams gathered at the city's Fire Training Academy. Each team was composed of exactly 12 people, and their mission was simple: to pull a 66,000lb fire truck farther and faster than any of the other teams. The team with the best time and the most money raised would be declared the winner. Many of the teams were comprised of firefighters, while Special Olympians also competed.

Inspiration for the event came in the form of people like Ruben Johnson, a Special Olympics competitor. Shirley Johnson took Ruben in as a foster child in 1968, after police found him living in a chicken coop. Neurologists told her that Ruben would always be severely handicapped, but Ruben now holds down a job and communicates well. Shirley says they owe Ruben's progress to Special Olympics.

Ruben and other Special Olympians participated in the fire truck pull on Saturday. Special Olympics provide athletic contests and sports training year-round for those with intellectual disabilities. The organization allows them to continue developing physical fitness as they become productive members of their community.

Fire truck pull organizers could work with a flyer printing company to create a mailer for San Antonio residents, describing this year's event and asking them to mark their Calendars for similar fundraisers in future.






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