AFFILIATED WITH NATIONAL & STATE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF
LABOR & CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS

IAFF # 273 Sponsors Soap Box Derby

After a 30 year absence, the Uniformed Fire Fighters Association, IAFF#273 of New Rochelle sponsored an All-American Soap Box Derby on Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle. Twenty-seven boys and girls, aged 8 through 17 participated in the event which was held as a fundraiser for The Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center.

In order to participate in the gravity-powered race, each racer must build their own car with the help of a parent or firefighter from an official AASBD kit and then pay $200 in entrance fees. The racers were divided into two divisions according to their height and weight: Stock Division for racers up to 5'3" tall and 125 lbs., and Super Stock Division for racers up to 6' tall and 150 lbs.

The New Rochelle firefighters chipped in to sponsor 3 cars. First Place Super Stock winner Citlin Engers won her spot in the Local 273 UFFA car in a raffle. She and Michael Fiscella who drove the Finch's Drugstore car to victory in the Stock Division will compete in the AASBD Championship in Akron, Ohio.

Thanks to Firefighter Rich Bongriorni who chaired the event and the more than 75 firefighters who volunteered their time to make this event possible. It was a wonderful event for a wonderful cause.