Oceanside CA— The Oceanside Firefighters’ Association has a car ready to go for the Burn Institutes’ 25th annual Firefighter Demolition Derby on June 6th, 2015 and now it’s time to raise the $1,000 entry fee. The Derby takes place in the Del Mar Fairgrounds during opening weekend of the San Diego County Fair.
The fees raised by the firefighters, for the Derby, go to support the Burn Institutes ‘Camp Beyond the Scars’ program.
‘Camp Beyond the Scars’ is special camp for children established in 1987 and the San Diego local Camp Beyond the Scars was established in 1994. Today, Camp Beyond the Scars serves as the Burn Institute’s hallmark program. Each year, approximately 50 children, ages 5-17, attend a 3-day winter camp and a week-long summer camp held in the foothills of San Diego County.
This is the second year for the Oceanside Firefighters’ Association in the Derby. “It was one of the funnest things I’ve ever done.” said Cody Spinos, team leader for Oceanside. Cody has also bungee jumped and has been skydiving. “We made to the semi-finals last year but the car, a 1983 Chrysler, just gave out.” said Cody.
This year the team will be entering a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis donated by Western Towing. ” We rushed to get the car done well beforehand so we can have it on display at events around town prior to the Derby.” said Cody. The first location to view the car will be at Don’s Country Kitchen, 1938 South Coast Highway on Sunday April 12 from 7:00am to 10:00am. Also on display will be the Associations fully restored 1952 Mack fire engine.
Cody, a Carlsbad High School graduate, said he got involved in charity work about three years ago and chose the Burn Institute to work with. “I thought they were a great place to start and I began with the annual ‘Fill the Boot’ fundraiser.” Cody said this years Boot Drive was one of the best they have had. “We’ve had such positive feedback from the community during the Boot Drives.
The Demolition Derby was the next step and Cody said the support from the firefighters and Oceanside Fire Chief, Darryl Hebert has been amazing. “This is the first thing the Chief has put me in charge of and he has been real supportive. Last year he went down to Del Mar and hung out with us for a while in the pits ” continued Cody “Its just been such a positive vibe from everyone involved.” The team has a pit crew that bangs out fenders and changes tires in between heats.
There is a long list of things that needs to be done to a car before can be entered into a demolition derby. For the safety of competitors and spectators, all glass, including windshield, needs to be removed and flammable interior trim has to be taken out from the passenger area and trunk. “I’m not mechanically inclined at all so the help and the support of the other shifts at the department really helps.”
The Oceanside Firefighters’ Association purchased the drivers seat and fuel tank for the car. “Those are important things because they can be used year after year in different cars” explained Cody. ” and we have some sponsors that help out with oil changes and tires but we need some donations so we can get entered.”
Besides helping a good cause there are some perks that go along with your donations and there are several levels individuals or businesses can donate at. Named after NASCAR tracks the first level is the ‘Richmond’ level. For a donation of $50.00- $99.00 you get your company name or logo displayed on derby car. At the top ‘Taladega Level’ with a donation of $1,000 or more you get;
- Large logo prominently displayed on the derby car
- Logo featured in a continuous loop video board at the Demolition Derby
- Logo prominently displayed on commemorative FIREFIGHTER DEMOLITION DERBY T-shirts
- Logo and company recognition on the Burn Institute social media sites
- Ten (10) complimentary tickets to the Fire Fighter Demolition Derby
- Eight (8) complimentary commemorative FIREFIGHTER DEMOLITION DERBY T-shirts
- Special recognition in the Burn Institute Newsletter
For a complete list of all the levels and benefits or to donate, you can view and download the PDF [Here]. Sponsorships and In-Kind Donations to the Burn Institute must be received by May 8, 2015 to assure appropriate recognition on collateral materials.
In addition to the Sponsorships, Cody has set up a GoFundMe page where you can donate to the fund raising campaign for the Burn Institute and Demolition Derby: http://de.gofund.me/OFDerby
To learn more about the car and to follow where the car will be on display, visit the Oceanside Fire Association’s Demo Derby Car Facebook page.