Even through the difficult times, the NFSA St. Louis Metro Area Chapter and the St. Louis Fire Sprinkler Alliance continue to be proud sponsors of the Budweiser Gun ’N Hoses event. This year’s showdown will be held Wednesday, November 25, 2020, and is the largest fundraiser for BackStoppers in St. Louis.

St. Louis BackStoppers began in 1959, recognizing the tremendous sacrifices made every day by police officers and firefighters. The charity provides needed financial assistance and support to spouses and dependent children of public servants who have lost their lives or suffered a catastrophic injury performing their duty. Currently, the organization directly supports 80 families with 65 children.

By making mortgage and care payments, paying off debt, and defraying the expenses of higher education, the BackStoppers are honoring their philosophy to care for the loved ones of those who have protected us. This year’s event will honor Fire Marshal Ron Wehlage, Officer Tamarris Bohannon, and Captain David Dorn.

Guns ‘N Hoses—this year called the St. Louis Metro Boxing Showdown—usually brings 19,000 people together to watch firefighters go head-to-head against police officers in an annual boxing showdown, but Covid-19 restrictions have changed all that. Last year the St. Louis NFSA Chapter was able to distribute 40 tickets to members and code officials that provided a terrific opportunity for networking with our friends in the industry. This year the chapter will have limited seating at a ringside table that—as in years past—will be shared with our fire department friends. All NFSA members can watch the fights on Fox2 where it will be broadcast live at 7:00 pm.

Although $900,000 was raised last year, organizers are concerned that the loss of ticket sales will have a significant impact on the amount that they will be able to raise.
“Especially this year, when charities are faced with so many difficulties, the St. Louis Chapter and Alliance are proud to be a partner and support our public safety officials in their time of need,” said Richard Boyer of the St. Louis Fire Sprinkler Alliance.