NK, EG Fire Depts. Battle on Gridiron Wednesday for Charity

Note: an earlier version of this story went out with an incorrect time for the start of the game. The game begins at 3:00 p.m.

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI—North Kingstown and East Greenwich firefighters are giving new meaning to the term “mutual aid” on Wednesday.

Members of both departments will suiting up and heading to battle not flames, but each other in a game of flag football at the Wide World of Indoor Sports at 1610 Davisville Road in North Kingstown.

The game starts at 3:00 p.m. and admission is free with the donation of non-perishable food items. All proceeds will go to help the North Kingstown Food Pantry and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Food Bank.

At the same time, wrist bands will be sold at the game to support a local girl engaged in her own fight.

Ella Jean Silva suffered a traumatic brain injury on Aug. 1 last year.

Now 6, Silva is relying on the love and support of the community as she embarks on her recovery.

Friends and family have banded together to create the “Team Ella” organization. Bands and apparel will be sold at the event and the proceeds will go to the family.

In a message promoting the event, members of the East Greenwich Fire Department said that of course, “our departments will be battling for bragging rights. but it’s much more than this.”