Firefighters from Danbury and Ridgefield will face off in a hockey game for a good cause at Winter Garden Ice Arena.
Members of the Ridgefield Professional Fire Department are taking on members of the Danbury Professional Fire Department in the second annual charity ice hockey game on Saturday, May 3, at 3 p.m. at the Winter Garden Ice Arena at 111 Prospect Ridge Road, Ridgefield. Admission is free but donations are suggested.
Proceeds from this year’s game will go to Brookfield resident Vicky Angelo, who suffered spinal cord injuries in a car accident. Vicky’s mom, Anna Angelo, is a nurse at 21 South Street in Ridgefield.
The Ridgefield Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 1739 Charitable Fund was set up in 2005 to help local families in need. “Vicky’s story is very close to our hearts. As firefighter/paramedics, we see firsthand the devastation of automobile accidents. It’s our mission to hopefully raise enough money to help Vicky obtain a service dog. A service dog would really improve her quality of life as it could help pull her wheelchair, activate lights, retrieve items for her,” said firefighter Ed Marchitto. “It would mean so much to us if we could reach that goal.”
The hockey rivalry between Ridgefield Fire Department and Danbury Fire Department has been brewing since last year’s game, when Ridgefield beat Danbury in overtime.
“Both teams have been training hard. We head to the rink in the morning after a 24-hour shift at the fire department, sometimes on little to no sleep. We really want to win again this year,” said firefighter/paramedic Kevin Woessner. “Please come out with your family and support Vicky.”