Frankfort Resident 'Crashing For A Cause' With Project Fire Buddies

FRANKFORT, IL — Frankfort resident and Palos Park firefighter Kevyn Holdefer will be "crashing for a cause" at the Project Fire Buddies fundraiser on Friday at Will County Fairgrounds.

Project Fire Buddies is a nonprofit that partners with fire departments with the mission of bringing positivity and support to children fighting cancer and critical illnesses in their communities, Holdefer said.

Holdefer has been involved with the organization for six years, and helps support the children of Palos Park where he works as a firefighter/paramedic. He started the Palos Park chapter of Project Fire Buddies.

"As a fan of demolition derbies I attended the Will County Fair last year and thought 'Man, I'd love to do one,'" he told Patch. And so the idea for "Crashing For A Cause," was born.

It's an opportunity to raise money for Project Fire Buddies, while participating in a bucket list event of his, Holdefer said.

"The thought was simple: sell sponsorships to the different parts of the car, the hood, doors, roof, [and] surpass what the car was worth; and sell the chance for other people who may not want to participate in a demo derby, but be there in spirit by signing their names on the car for a $10 donation," he said.

Holdefer said he's never raced before, but hopes to win, and donate his winnings as well.

"And if the car doesn't survive, the car will be scrapped with that value also being donated," he added. "All in all, I've had a huge support from my wife, children and family, as well as friends and the community that I'd love to invite to come see me smash this thing up and hopefully come out unscathed."

The demolition derby will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, at the Will County Fairgrounds in Peotone.