The Johnston and North Providence Firefighters answered an alarm Saturday in many memorable and different ways.
First, 21 members of the Johnston Association of Firefighters Local 1950 banned together and took on 22 neighboring brothers from North Providence Local 2334, in a unique Flag Football Game at Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Stadium.
Second, families of both squads filled many seats inside the state-of-the-art stadium as well as a Johnston Rescue that by game’s end was well-stocked with an extraordinary collection of canned goods and non-perishable items.
Perhaps Col. David P. Tikoian, who was recently installed as the North Providence Police Chief, best described what has often been known as a “Game of Goodwill”, that for two, 30-minute halves was both entertaining and an exceptional example of giving back to the community.
“The scoreboard may have read North Providence 18, Johnston zero,” Tikoian, who made his first-ever Five Bowl appearance and represented Mayor Charles Lombardi who was unable to attend because of an emergency, began during the post-game ceremony. “But the real winner here today is the Tri-County Community Action Agency Food Bank and the many families your donations will help feed at Thanksgiving.”
A sudden roar went up form both teams, people in the stands and all over Polisena Stadium that put a special smile on the face of Joseph DeSantis, President and CEO of the benefitting non-profit’s extraordinary food distribution center.
“Personally, I thank you – our great Firefighters and your fantastic families – for what you have again done to help fill our food cupboard,” DeSantis said.. “We’ve found out that this year there’s an even grat need from people who without your help otherwise might not be able to have a Thanksgiving Dinner.”
DeSantis went on to praise Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena, who co-founded the Fire Bowl four years ago with Lombardi and officials from both unions, most notably the JFD’s Dave Pingitore and his NP counterpart and friend Anthony Rampone.
“It is unfortunate that in today’s world we have people who are in dire need of food,” Polisena said while emceeing the post-game trophy presentation. “This is a great display of caring by our firefighters; it’s a great event we can hopefully make bigger next year and continue to put food on people’s tables.”
Like DeSantis, Polisena wanted it known that “there seems to be more need this year than previous years as far as food for Thanksgiving is concerned. We thank you for today’s collection look forwards to another game – and food collection – next year.”
Before presenting NP Fire Chief Ed DiGiulio with the Fire Bowl Trophy, Polisena handed DeSantis an envelope that contained his check for $100 to the Tri-Town Community Action Food Closest and a matching donation from Lombardi.
So, Fire Bowl IV is in the books with NP winning a fourth straight game, 18-0.
The game, though, will long be remembered for as both local firefighter unions answering an urgent alarm – to put food on people’s tables – and engaging in a fun-filled flag football game that featured many MVPs.
MVPs like Mathias Barros, son of Johnston Firefighter Adam Barros, who accepted donations of all sizes and placed them neatly in the rescue, with assistance from his mother.
MVPs like Johnston’s Dave Pingitore, whose play-by-play announcing added humor and fun to the contest, which was timed by Local 1950 President Keith Calci.
MVPs like NP’s Phil Kennedy who made three pass interceptions.
MVPs like Kevin Coupe and Will Davis who hooked up on al three NP touchdowns;
MVPs like people of all ages who in addition to bringing bags and boxes of canned goods and non-perishable items to the game, dropped monetary donations in a large firefighters boot that was stationed on a tale at the entrance to Polisena Stadium that will also go a long way to help feed those in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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