OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Professional Fire Fighters to Marion County (PFFMC) are partnering with Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) to bring awareness to mental health issues faced by first responders through competition and exercise. The Annual “Bear the Burden” event hosted at the MCFR EGH gym, focuses on the total weight that a competitor can lift while performing three moves; back squat, bench press, and deadlift.

The event is open to the public and will be held at the EGH Fitness Center, 2730 E. Silver Springs Blvd, behind the Veterans Building. Competitors are welcome to come either July 28th or 29th and lift according to their schedule. Pre-registration is suggested but not required.

Entry fee to compete is $20 and competitors receive a t-shirt.

About The Marion County Benevolence Fund

The fundraiser is for the Marion County Benevolence Fund (MCFBF), the charitable arm of the PFFMC, which raises money to support first responders and their families who may face issues with mental health, unforeseen emergencies, or major medical expenses. MCFBF started in 2009 as a way for the PFFMC to increase the impact of their charitable work while streamlining normal business operations and now works closely with the MCFR Chaplaincy Program. Money is raised through events like the annual golf tournament, fishing tournament, and the “Bear the Burden” competition. In addition to the fundraisers, all members of the PFFMC donate money from each paycheck throughout the year which is managed by the MCFBF board. The event is in collaboration with MCFR and held at the EGH gym, an acronym that stands for “Everyone Goes Home” highlighting the mindset of a positive lifestyle and mental health for first responders. The Peer Support Team and The Peer Fitness Trainers at the gym were brought into Marion County by a partnership of PFFMC and MCFR. Both programs are taught by the International Association of Fire Fighters in order to improve the quality and longevity life for first responders while keeping them mentally and physically fit to respond for the citizens.

 

Professional Firefighters Media contact: Joseph Romani
supvicepresident@marionfirefighters.org
Text: 352.572.2861

MCFR Media Contact: Alex Caban
alex.caban@marionfl.org
352.427.8042