Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Police and firefighters put their lives on the line everyday. April 2 will be no different when local police and firemen take to the boxing ring at the Belterra Casino Resort & Spa - with all proceeds from the event going to help support the new regional Children’s Advocacy Center that opened in September 2009 in Dillsboro.

This event mirrors what these brave men do every day - help children. The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a neutral child-friendly place where law enforcement officers, child protection services, and prosecutor’s offices from more than six counties can bring children for a forensic interview due to an allegation of abuse or neglect.

“It’s working,” noted Barb Bowling, who is the director of Children and Family Services at Versailles. Bowling told The Versailles Republican the center has made a big difference with the manner in which they interview children. She remembers some of the worst interviews and says the center is paramount to getting convictions in child abuse/neglect cases.

The Guns & Hoses charity boxing match, set to begin at 7:00 p.m., is being spearheaded by 911 Gives Hope and will feature 16 boxing matches. Each fight is three rounds and is judged by boxing officials. The event will be hosted by celebrity ring announcer, Bob the Producer, from WEBN radio station, Cincinnati.

Police from a variety of agencies will take to the ring, including Ripley County’s Corky Houseworth, a deputy with the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Houseworth is an accomplished triathalon participant who is a tough competitor. He has competed in the Ironman.

Others competing from the law enforcement (Guns) side include: Andy Cline, Wayne Davis, Troy Cochran, Matt Haviland, Mark True, Rodney Markland, Dan Craig, Dave Ellis, William Watterson, Seth Melton, Tony Blodgett, Max Socks, Ken Losekamp, TJ Pendergast, and Jonathan Kolb.

Participating firemen (Hoses) include: Jason Richardson, Chris Berkley, James Navin, David Huckleby, Nick Ferrigno, Andy Brookbank, Mike Martin, Mike Witterstaetter, Will Putnam, Donnie Dick, Don Wallace, Eric Dauer, Matt True, Shannon Snelling, and Nick Chase.

These fierce competitors come from the tri-state area - Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Tickets are now available at Ticketmaster, Belterra Casino Resort, and Spa; and any Friendship State Bank location.
These tickets are going fast so don’t delay in ordering yours. All of the proceeds will go to the CAC and ultimately children.