The Daviess County Fire Department presented a check for $31,500 to Christmas Wish after another successful year hosting their annual charity golf scramble. The funds raised will help ensure that thousands of local children wake up to gifts on Christmas morning.
Barb Birgy with WBKR, who helps lead the Christmas Wish effort, said the donation will go a long way toward supporting families in need.
“The fire department has raised so much money through the years, and every year it just grows and grows,” Birgy said. “It just shows the commitment that the community has to the mission of Christmas Wish — helping 7,000 to 8,000 children every single year have a great Christmas. Nobody should go to school after the holiday break and say they got nothing for Christmas, and we’re not going to let that happen.”
The scramble, which took place at Ben Hawes Golf Course earlier this year, reached capacity again with more than 30 teams and dozens of local sponsors participating.
“The community always shows out to help us with this cause,” said engineer DCFD’s Will McCrady. “It takes year-round commitment from our team and volunteers. We’ll be sending out thank-you letters now and immediately start planning for next year.”
McCrady said the event started with just eight teams and a simple T-shirt fundraiser, but has grown into one of the department’s most impactful outreach efforts.
“We see the need firsthand when we respond to calls. Every child deserves to have a Christmas,” he said. “It’s a cause we believe in deeply.”
Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen praised the fire department’s commitment and said the event has become a reflection of the community’s values.
“It feels really good to see our county employees put their energy into doing good work,” Castlen said. “This is not just a Daviess County Fiscal Court or Fire Department event — it’s a community event. The entire community has grabbed onto this, and it speaks well for who we are as people.”
Castlen recalled the early days of the Christmas Wish program when WBKR began receiving heartfelt letters from children whose families were struggling.
“They were heart-wrenching,” he said. “This program has grown from that into something that continues to impact so many families.”
Ryan Trunnell, an inspector and investigator with the fire department, said the mission means even more to firefighters because of the nature of their job.
“We get out into the community and into areas where people are struggling. That’s where we go to help,” Trunnell said. “It gives us a sense of pride to make a difference in another way.”
He added that the work doesn’t stop when the fire trucks return to the station.
“This is not just an hourly job. It’s 24/7, 365,” Trunnell said. “We volunteer our time to help the community in this way because it’s who we are — on and off duty.”
The fire department has supported Christmas Wish since the beginning of the golf scramble fundraiser, and plans to continue doing so for years to come.
