Hinsdale Fire Department Event Raises $11,000 for Local Charities

The Hinsdale Fire Department raised $11,000 for local charities through its Fourth Annual Big’s Bare Knuckle Softball Tournament, held Sept 20.

The tournament was created to honor Deputy Fire Chief Mark Johnson, who died in 2010 in the line of duty.

The money raised will go to several local charities, donated by The Hinsdale Professional Firefighters Association, according to a Hinsdale Fire Department news release.

• $5,000 will go to the Hinsdale’s HCS Family Services
• $1,002 will go to Hinsdale’s Safety Village
• Two children will be sent to Camp “I Am Me,” the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance burn camp for children.

The Clarendon Hills Fire Department won the tournament and the prize of a special fire helmet and leather shield.

Competing teams also included the Western Springs Fire Department, LaGrange Park Fire Department, Westmont Fire Department, Pleasantview Fire Protection District, Hinsdale Police Department, Lisle-Woodridge and the Maywood Fire Departments, according to the news release.

“The Hinsdale Professional Firefighters Association would like to thank all of the local businesses who donated raffle prizes for this event. We would also like to thank everyone involved, especially Cheryl Johnson and all the wives of the Hinsdale Firefighters who spent countless hours ensuring the success of this event.”

Photo by Shinichi Sugiyama via Flickr Creative Commons.