Ding, ding: the bell goes ring.
Some of New York’s Bravest are going against London’s Finest in a Battle of the Badges at Resorts World Casino New York City on Friday, April 12. Ten blaze battlers will trade blows with bobbies on the Racino’s third floor to raise money for Building Homes for Heroes, which builds handicapped-accessible homes for disabled war veterans.
“There’s a lot of department pride at stake,” said organizer Bob McGuire.
This isn’t the first time the two forces have danced in the ring, though. They squared off at the World Police/Fire Games a few years back, McGuire said, and FDNY officers went to London last year. They didn’t fare well, going 6-4, against the Brits, but McGuire said he hopes this year will be different.
“We hope to return the favor this year,” he said of the impending rematch.
In total, McGuire said FDNY Boxing has donated about $200,000 to veteran-related charities since September 11.
In the last few years, he said, the organization has donated moneys raised, after expenses are paid, to Building Homes for Heroes. FDNY Boxing donated a $5,000 check to the charity on February 27 to help build homes for veterans.
Organizers got paired up with the charity after it built a home for quadruple-amputee and Staten Island native Brendan Marrocco.
“That’s when we first got involved,” McGuire said. “It just seemed like a great fit.”
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