Guns & Hoses: Waterford police, firefighters face off to help cancer patient

Waterford Township firefighters will face off against Waterford police officers in the 2nd Annual Guns & Hoses Charity Hockey Game to raise money for a 7-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of cancer.

White Lake resident and Mite Lakeland Warriors hockey player Kyle Brown is currently undergoing treatment for large cell B Lymphoma. The disease is a common type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that accounts for about two in five of all cases. It can occur at any time between adolescence and old age.

Some firefighters got wind of Brown’s circumstances and opted to raise funds in his honor.

“We decided to donate 100 percent to him and his family for costs incurred during his treatments,” said Event Coordinator and firefighter/paramedic Jeremy Grundy.

The firefighters are looking to defend their victory from last year. Proceeds from last year’s game were donated to a benevolent fund for battered women and children.

The matchup will take place at Lakeland Ice Arena in Waterford Township, located at 7330 Highland Road, on Saturday, April 16. The puck will drop at 5 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 per person. Children under 5 are admitted free of charge.

In anticipation of the event last year, both teams raised money to purchase jerseys. Waterford firefighters wear red; the police “Law Dogs” don blue.

“We have 14 firefighters signed up to play and 15 for the cops,” Grundy said. “We had a blast last year and want it to grow bigger every year.”

In addition to police and fire personnel donating their time, Lakeland Ice Arena has agreed to donate ice time and referees for the game.

An after-party, hosted by Boomers Roadhouse on Highland Road in the township, will immediately follow the game, complete with a free appetizer buffet, a 50/50 raffle drawing, door prizes, and free bull riding.

“Pretty much we’ll be fund raising all night for him and his family,” Grundy said.