ST. LOUIS — One of the biggest fundraisers of the year is happening in just two days in St. Louis. It's that time of the year for Backstoppers' annual Budweiser Guns ‘N Hoses event, which pits local police officers against firefighters for a good cause.
The huge event takes over Enterprise Center in the name of charity.
"Right now, we support 95 families and 75 children and we have expenses of about $2.5 to $3 million a year to carry on our mission,” said Executive Director Larry O’Toole.
Police, firefighters, and their supporters gathered Monday at Helen Fitzgeralds, two days before the big Gun ‘N Hoses matches on Thanksgiving Eve. The event brings in around $1 million a year for families of fallen or wounded first responders.
"We take care of the children, tuition. We take care of their house payments… We take care of the widow for whatever she may need,” O’Toole added.
Monday, all 22 fighters met their opponents and weighed in ahead of the bouts they've been training for.
“I feel ready. I'm excited. This will be fun,” said Cody Woolbright, a firefighter in Cottleville.
He met his opponent, a police officer in St. Louis. "My opponent and I were wrestling high school teammates…. We were wrestling partners for several years so we know each other pretty well."
He's been in the ring before. But for other fighters like Austin Golden, Wednesday will be a dream come true.
"I went to Guns ‘N Hoses one time last year. I saw it and said, ‘You know what, I've always fantasized about doing this’. I said, ‘Maybe I’ll give it a shot,'" the Sunset Hills police officer said.
He will take on a Clayton police officer Wednesday.
"I'm just going to have fun with it," he said.
Fun and games until it comes down to bragging rights and the moment to make it a TKO.
"We'll be friends before. We'll be friends after but when we’re in the ring, we’re going to try to take each other's head off,” Woolbright said.
Doors will open at 4:30 pm Wednesday at Enterprise Center. To purchase tickets or to make a donation, click here.