Four Rotary Clubs and Community Pull Together To Raise Funds at Inaugural Fire Truck Pull

Multiple Area Rotary Clubs and community organizations from Okaloosa County pulled together recently to raise more than $15,000 for a major project at the assisted living facility—Twin Cities Pavilion (TCP) in Niceville. The Community Fire Truck Pull attracted 16, ten-person teams, young and old, who paid $250 to see who could pull a fire truck 50 feet in the fastest time. Funds raised will be used to refurbish the TCP’s front entrance area used by residents for sitting and relaxing outdoors.

East Niceville Fire Rescue provided the fire truck with local fire departments teaming up to run the fire truck pull competition itself. 3rd Planet Brewing graciously hosted the event and Bay Area Awards donated the winners’ trophies and team medallions. The Rotary Clubs of Mid-Bay Bridge, Niceville/Valparaiso, Destin and Fort Walton Beach, along with the Knights of Columbus from Christ Our Redeemer and Holy Name Catholic churches, supported the effort with donations, planning and staffing. Crosspoint Church in Niceville donated generously to the cause and Advance Concrete Supply committed to donating the upcoming concrete work.

The event was held on a Saturday afternoon in April at a popular Niceville microbrewery, 3rd Planet Brewing and included food trucks, raffles and music. Winning teams received trophies and the “pullers” took home individual medallions. The brewery provided cash or gift cards to the top three teams.

The entire inaugural event came about when Mid-Bay Rotarian Bob Hoffman identified the TCP need for a porch resurfacing and contacted additional Rotaries in Okaloosa County. The idea expanded to other service groups, such as two Knights of Columbus Councils. On one of those queries, a local concrete resurfacing company offered to do the concrete work complimentary. The Rotary clubs maintained their funding pledges, because the awning over the porch needed to be repaired, sandblasted and painted. However, more money was needed. So, the community groups led by Hoffman as chair agreed to sponsor the fire truck pull also.
 
“It was great to see how many organizations came together for the planning and execution of the pull,” said Steve Wolfrom, Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary president. “Identifying a need, rallying community support and pulling off the event is the direct result of the organizations working together. Our goal was met. But, I think the model put together to do a fun community event can be repeated in our area in the future.”