BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Bellaire Police and Fire Pull for Special Olympics

By Karen Vine Fuller, Contributing writer | October 24, 2018

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Officer Liccketto, Officer Varrientos, Officer Andrada and Officer Hefferin (front to back) had fun being part of the Bellaire Police Department team.

Ever seen a 38,000-pound fire truck being pulled by humans? And in broad daylight down Rice Avenue in Bellaire, no less? Well, that’s exactly what spectators watched at the 2018 Fire Truck Pull and Car Show. The annual event, presented by the Bellaire Police and Fire Departments, benefits Special Olympics Texas – Greater Houston whose mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop in physical fitness and other life attributes.

The Fire Truck Pull consisted of teams of 12 lined up on a rope (similar to tug-of-war but with all participants facing forward) competing for the fastest time pulling the truck to the finish line. The two team categories were Civilian and Public Safety. Neighbors lined up to watch in awe during the event as competitors worked to pull the fire truck.

Houston Police “Team Swole Patrol’s” combined strength and speedy pulls earned them a first place finish. (Pictured, front to back) Beau Schulgen, Robert Larock, Tom Chavez, Tracie Mathews, Willie Cuevas, Melvin Parker, Christopher Vaughn, Ram Saini, Tony Villa and Sgt. Matt Samsel.

Fire truck fans enjoyed food and vendor booths as well as a car show in the Condit Elementary parking lot. The vehicle categories included new and old, hot rods, custom and vintage like the memorable “family car of the ’60’s and ’70s” station wagon that even included the classic rear-facing seats and bumper stickers from different states. Art cars represented were Condit’s “Growing Leaders” and a 10-foot drivable stegosaurus who had a “dino-mite” time just like every other attendee.

Riley, Reese, Liam and Landon Lopez enjoyed checking out the backward facing seats and stickers from different states on this exotic car called a station wagon.

First-place winners were The Bellaire Optimist Club and Houston Police Department’s “Swole Patrol” team. Teams were honored with medals presented by distinguished Texas Special Olympics athletes: Emmy Lou, Shelby, Rebecca and Jordan.

For information about the 2019 event, contact Bellaire Police Department’s Officer Edwards. [email protected]

Special Olympic athletes Emmy Lou, Shelby, Rebecca and Jordan (all part of the Katy Wolfpack group) did the honors of passing out medals to the winning teams and car entries.
Mary, Henry, Bonnie and Steve Kearney having fun checking out this sweet red Austin Healey which is a little fancier than the cars they usually see in the Condit teacher parking lot. Maybe principal Mr. Greenberg got a new ride.
Condit’s “Growing Leaders” art car holding its own with the hot rods and other fancy vehicles in the car show.
This stegosaurus art car was even taller than the fire truck.

Special Olympic athletes Emmy Lou, Shelby, Rebecca and Jordan (all part of the Katy Wolfpack group) did the honors of passing out medals to the winning teams and car entries.

Mary, Henry, Bonnie and Steve Kearney having fun checking out this sweet red Austin Healey which is a little fancier than the cars they usually see in the Condit teacher parking lot. Maybe principal Mr. Greenberg got a new ride.