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WHAT’S HAPPENING’S TRI-CITY VOICE
August 2, 2016
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The event has grown over time, with more sponsors, volunteers, and participants every year. Some of the local agencies represented this year included the Antioch Police Department, Alameda County Sheriff ’s Office, Berkeley PD, Richmond PD, Oakland PD, Hayward PD, and Fremont PD. Other agencies include the Sacramento PD, Citrus Heights PD, Lodi PD, and Saskatoon PD (Canada). “Joint agency training is invaluable for critical incidents,” says Brandt. It also helps build
camaraderie amongst the teams. Allen Shields, a Lieutenant with the Contra Costa Sheriff ’s Office, agrees. “A lot of these teams are the teams we’ll be working with during the most critical incidents, so it’s nice to have an opportunity to come out and meet them under different circumstances, and just have a good, healthy day with them.” Teams race against the clock in six different events, scoring points along the way. The first event is the exercise discipline, where each four-person team is
required to complete 200 burpees, 200 sit-ups, and 200 box jumps. Then they need to flip a tractor tire 25 feet down the field, toss a medicine ball over a 10-foot-high bar to each other 100 times, then flip the tractor tire back to the starting line. The other events include over nine miles of running, carrying weighted objects over long distances, an 800-yard swim, and shooting target practice. And this grueling day of training would not be complete without a Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) Training event that tests the teams in an advanced first aid scenario. While all of this hard work is certainly good exercise, participants are primarily driven by the chance to help those who cannot help themselves; namely, the children of George Mark Children’s House. “It’s just a good cause, first and foremost,” says Rich Graham of the Tracy PD. “We’re so excited to be a part of it. The adrenaline and competition drive you, but then you see some of the kids and that adds a certain senti-
mental value that pushes you to work harder.” Each team that registers donates $500. This is the third year that George Mark Children’s House has been the recipient, and the amount raised has grown every year, from $22,000 to $35,000 to over $96,000 this year. “It’s been huge for us,” says Ken Sommer, Director of Advancement at George Mark. “80 percent of our funds come from events like this. We could not do what we do without their support.” George Mark Children’s House is a nonprofit and the first and only freestanding pediatric palliative care center in the United States. They offer emotional support and medical care to families and their children who suffer from serious, often terminal illness. The goal is to relieve suffering and stress, emphasizing quality of life. Services include transitional, end of life, and respite care. “Our families never see a bill,” says Sommer. A patient at George Mark since they opened in 2004, Charlie Cleberg, 17, suffers from scol-
iosis. He has made many friends at the SLPD and was there for the event, cheering them on. Says his mom, Kathy, “It’s great to see all these men and women out here, who have tough roles and have the courage to go to work every day and face down their fears, yet they’re willing to put all this time and effort into supporting families and children that struggle every day for their lives.” This is the first year that the event was held at the San Leandro Marina (in previous years it was held at Lake Chabot Park in Castro Valley). Says Brandt, “We had community members walking through the area and going straight to the charity to donate. They weren’t even at the park for the event. This is just another example of what a great community we work in.” Sacramento PD won the overall for the second year in a row, and Oakland PD won the best marksmanship award. “We also recognize a company or individual who has significantly stood out throughout the year with a Esprit De Corps award,” says Brandt. “Hayward PD was presented with the award for losing two SWAT members within five years. Scott Lunger within the past year was shot and killed, and Rod Pierce died on the way to work in a motorcycle accident in 2012. We are all inspired how they continue to compete and perform at a very high level after such devastating losses to their team.” To learn more about the SWAT Fitness Challenge, visit http://slpdswatfitnesschallenge.co m or contact Lieutenant Randy Brandt at (510) 577-3246 or Rbrandt@sanleandro.org. For more about George Mark Children’s House, visit www.georgemark.org/ or call (510) 346-4624.
SUBMITTED BY CHRIS GIN Hayward Animal Shelter is bursting with cats, kittens, guinea pigs and bunnies! So, they will be holding their Hot “Paw”gust Nights Pet Adoption and Car Show fundraiser on Saturday, August 6. The Car Show raises funds for the animal shelter’s medical and spay/neuter program. It’s a fun event for a great cause! All pet adoptions are $20. (There is a $17 dog license fee for Hayward residents.) Hot “Paw”gust Nights Pet Adoption and Car Show Saturday Aug 6 Pet Adoptions: 11a.m. – 5 p.m. Car Show: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Hayward Animal Shelter 16 Barnes Ct, Hayward (510) 293-7200 https://www.facebook.com/haywardanimalshelter Sponsored by the Hayward Animal Shelter Volunteers $20 Pet adoptions /$17 dog license fee Hayward residents