PIKE fireman’s challenge

Every day, the firemen and women of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department risk their lives in order to keep the city of Toledo safe, but their day-to-day bravery and sacrifice often goes unnoticed.

A University of Toledo fraternity is helping to change that and shine the spotlight on these local heroes.

For the past two years, UT’s Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) has hosted the Fireman’s Challenge, a philanthropic event created to raise awareness and funds for the Toledo Fire and Rescue Foundation.

This year’s event was held Saturday, Sept. 3 at noon in parking lot 6 of UT’s main campus.

The day consisted of a series of team challenges including a fire truck pull, a relay race, a bucket brigade and other events that incorporated the fireman theme. Cost of registration was $8.58.

In the week leading up to the big event, the PIKEs held a series of smaller fundraising events such as “Pie-a Pike” at the Student Union during the President’s Backyard BBQ and a powder-puff football game to help raise even more funds for the fire department.

“The week-of events were very successful,” said Jason Wanamaker, PIKE Fireman’s Challenge Chair and biology major. “We had a lot of fun putting them on and hope to continue with them next year.”

Daniel Braker, treasurer of Pi Kappa Alpha and a third-year marketing and professional sales major, said that all money raised has gone directly to families of firefighters who have been injured or have lost their lives in the line of duty.

“They do so much for us, so the least we can do for them is come out for food, music and fun to support such an amazing foundation,” Braker said.

Braker said this was his second year participating in and planning the event, and he hopes it will continue to grow in the coming years.

This year, about 200 students and community members signed up for the challenge, and the PIKEs were able to raise over $3,500 for the foundation — over twice as much as last year.

“As an organization, we realize the kind of impact we can have on our community,” said Braker. “Helping out the families’ lives of firemen in the city of Toledo is one of the best ways we can use that impact in a positive way.”