3 minute read
Clash for a Cause
What began as a small softball tournament has become an impressive fundraiser supporting Cleveland County non-profit organizations. Sergeant Austin Schettler with the Moore Police Department says Clash for a Cause was born a few years ago when his department teamed up with the Moore Fire Department, Norman Police Department, and Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department for some friendly competition.
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“We all had a great time doing it, and then we thought, ‘Hey, why don’t we make this a yearly thing and just pick a charity to give to each year?” said Schettle.
It was an easy sell to the other first responders in Cleveland County. And it has been a great success, raising around $20,000 for charity at last year’s tournament. Schettler says the support has grown among the county’s first responders, making this year’s Clash for a Cause even more significant. The Cleveland County Sheriff, EMSSTAT, Moore Fire, Moore Police, Noble Fire, Noble Police, Norman Police, and OU Police are participating this year.
This year’s Clash for a Cause will occur on Sunday, September 18, at Buck Thomas Park, 1903 NE 12th Street in Moore. The family-friendly fun kicks off at 12:30 p.m. and will include lots of softball, carnival games, bounce houses, an ice cream truck, and food trucks (Psycho Taco and Winner Winner). The City of Moore’s Park and Recreation staff will be on hand with yard games, including the ever-popular cornhole. Admission is free, and donations are welcome.
“We’ve chosen The Center for Children and Families (CCFI) as our charity this year,” said Schettler. “It’s a great organization that benefits the entire county and offers therapy and services for children and families who have struggled with child abuse, neglect, and other harsh experiences.”
Schettler says Clash for a Cause is still looking for sponsorships but is also hoping that many folks will come out to enjoy the event and help support CCFI.
“This is becoming a big community event,” said Schettler. “We take the feeling of National Night out and mix a little softball into it. That means we also have some first responder vehicles for kids to get a close look at, including a medical helicopter and the SWAT vehicle.”
The softball tournament is a round-robin affair featuring eight teams from various departments. That means there will be a steady stream of softball games to watch on four different fields, followed by a championship game to wrap up the day. The event is expected to last for around four hours.
For Schettler and his first responder teammates from all over the county, it’s a chance to give back to a place they all feel close to.
“We all feel so blessed to live and work in Cleveland County,” said Schettler. “For us, this is just one more way to give back to this great community and support it in a tangible way. And we get to have a lot of fun doing it.”
