LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Lubbock police, fire, EMS and sheriff’s deputies traded their gear for bibs Wednesday in a five-minute rib-eating competition at Texas Roadhouse, with all donations benefiting UMC Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Miracle Network.
The event, called the Battle of the Badges Rib-Eating Contest, brought together multiple local agencies in a fundraising effort organized with Texas Roadhouse. Jasper Smith, a lieutenant with Lubbock Fire Rescue Station 9, said the event offered both competition and community benefit.
“This is a great community involvement here,” Smith said. “Gives a little bit of a competition amongst all the agencies out here, which will be nice and fun for us all, because we all want a little competition. And then help raise money for the Children’s Hospital as well.”
Derek Williams, a deputy with the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, said his agency came prepared.
“Yeah, no, we do performance on demand,” Williams said. “We come here to win… It’s for a good cause.”
Clay Francis, a shift chief with EMS, said the support from other agencies carries meaning beyond the contest.
“Just because we’re taking the patients in doesn’t mean that these guys don’t serve a huge role in taking care of our patients,” Francis said.
Lubbock Police Chief Seth Herman said the event is also an opportunity to connect with the community.
“We really want everybody to know that we’re here to support not only this very worthwhile event, but all of them,” Herman said. “Anything that supports our community members, the good citizens of Lubbock, we’re behind it.”
Brittany Campbell, philanthropy officer for Children’s Miracle Network, said all funds raised go directly to patient care.
“100% of everything they raise today will go straight to Children’s Miracle Network to provide life-saving equipment…so many services that community kids and families need,” Campbell said.
Texas Roadhouse is also donating 10% of its sales to Children’s Miracle Network through 10 p.m. Wednesday.
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