The gloves go on between firefighters and police officers Friday night for Kansas City Guns N' Hoses.
Through ticket sales, the charity boxing event raises funds for S.A.F.E., the Kansas City Crime Commission’s Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment fund.
S.A.F.E. gives $25,000 checks to KC area families of first responders killed in the line of duty.
The fund has paid out 5 times in the span of just over a year in the KC metro.
- KCFD Firefighter Larry Leggio, killed Oct. 12 2015.
- KCFD Firefighter John Mesh, killed Oct. 12 2015.
- KCKPD Detective Brad Lancaster, killed May 9, 2016.
- KCKPD Captain Dave Melton, killed July 19, 2016.
- Johnson County Sheriff Master Deputy Brandon Collins, killed Sept. 11, 2016.
“When you’re not working, paychecks stop and those things stop but bills keep coming,” said Leggio’s widow Missy. “Mortgages keep coming. Car payments. [S.A.F.E.] really takes the burden off the everyday financial stress when you’re also trying to figure out how to grieve and figure out what you just lost.”
S.A.F.E. receives funding from donors and fundraising like Friday night’s main event.
Since the match is sanctioned, each boxer had to complete a minimum of 12 training sessions.
The 12-bout boxing match starts at 7 p.m. Friday at the Kansas City Convention Center’s Grand Ballroom. Tickets start at $25.
For more information, visit http://www.kansascitygunsnhoses.com/.
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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
