Warren police, fire departments face off in fundraiser softball game

NILES Community members were invited to watch a face-off softball game between the Warren City Fire Department and the Warren City Police Department on Monday.

The game took place at 6 p.m. on Monday at Eastwood Field, located at 111 Eastwood Mall Boulevard in Niles.

The softball game aimed to raise money for the winner of the game, with half of the ticket sales of the event either going toward the fire department or the police department.

The other half of the funds raised would go toward the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Manny Nites, Sergeant of the Warren City Police Department, told 21 News that the event is an opportunity to have a friendly competition between the two departments that work so closely together.

"We see our brother firemen every day on a daily basis, at all kinds of scenes, so it's just good to get out here and run around, have a little bit of fun with them, and good competition on both sides," said Nites.

The winner of the softball game was the Warren City Police Department.

Nites went on to give 21 News an idea of what the department would use the raised funds for.

"We'll probably put the funds to the 'Shop with a Cop' program, which is around Christmastime, benefiting the little kids and the community," said Nites.

Corky Manofsky, a firefighter with the Warren City Fire Department, told 21 News that the event also allowed the department to reach out to the community, especially those who may like to become firefighters or officers.

"It's great for the public to come out and see us, and kids and things, [because] they all want to become cops and firemen, and we love it, and it's just a good thing," said Manofsky.

Manofsky continued that the event is a good way to show the community that beyond firefighting and law enforcement, they are all parts of the community too.

"Children, when we have all of our gear on, we could be scary, and we're not. We're dads, husbands, things like that and we want the public to come see, and this is us, we're your average day guys," said Manofsky.

Nites wanted to thank the community for their support year-round.

"We just want to thank the community for all the support. And that's not even just for tonight, but 365 days a year. It does mean a lot to both departments, and [we're] very appreciative about that," said Nites.

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