Customer Highlight | GRFD vs. GRPD Annual Charity Hockey Game!
What do firefighting, hockey, and printing have in common? I’m not sure, but we all come together once a year for a special cause at Van Andel Arena with the GRFD vs. GRPD Annual Charity Hockey Game!
MEET MIKE
Mike Walker is a local Grand Rapids career firefighter of 18 years, hockey player, customer (and friend!) of Swift Printing, and an integral part of the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters.
Mike first got interested in fire fighting through a friend’s father, who was the chief of volunteer firefighters and dreamed of being a wild fireman. He took an opportunity at a young age to join the fire academy after receiving a degree in environmental science from Western Michigan University. He spent time working in Portage, Michigan before moving to Grand Rapids, where he serves as a rank firefighter at Lagrave Avenue Firehouse. He also serves as the Outside Events Coordinator for the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters.
Photo Courtesy of Memories by Mandy Photography
Mike played hockey growing up and also in a men’s league at the Cedar Rock Sportsplex alongside some of his fellow firefighter recruits. They started to think of ways to incorporate hockey into the fire department. Inspired by a similar event in New York at Madison Square Garden, they began a tradition: a hockey game that pits the city’s fire department (GRFD) against the police department (GRPD), held once a year with the proceeds benefiting a local charity. Introducing: the GRFD vs. GRPD Annual Charity Hockey Game!
GRFD VS. GRPD ANNUAL CHARITY HOCKEY GAME
Hosted annually since 2022 at Van Andel Arena in partnership with the Griffins Foundation, the GRFD vs. GRPD Annual Charity Hockey Game has become a beloved tradition between our city’s first responders. The Griffins Foundation helps with ticket sales, auction items and offers the space to host the game at Van Andel Arena – they are a great partner and a big part of the success of the event!
The game benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), a cause very closely tied to the fire fighters union. Mike added that they appreciate that the majority of money raised will stay in our local community, going to help families impacted by muscular dystrophy with ramp access, summer camps for kids, research and more.
The third annual game took place on March 2, 2024 with over 1,100 guests filling seats at Van Andel. The result was over $30,000 being raised for MDA – over double what was raised in their first year!
Photo Courtesy of Memories by Mandy Photography
Each game starts with a ceremonial puck drop by a child impacted by muscular dystrophy, who has been chosen by MDA as the year’s representative. This year’s game was, according to Mike, “better than last year.” Both teams went into this year’s game with a win from years’ past. Both teams worked hard until the end and ultimately, GRPD took home the win 8-5.
We asked Mike what he loves about the annual game, and after saying “everything!” he went on to elaborate: “The rivalry [between GRFD and GRPD] is real and deep-seated. It’s fun and we all work together. The game might not be too pretty but we come back together because it’s all for a good cause, and helps to showcase the Griffins Foundation which does great work in our community.”
SWIFT PRINTING: ALL THAT ITS NAME IMPLIES
As with most of our customers, we’re friends, too! This one is no different. Swift Printing has a long-standing relationship with the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters and is located just a couple blocks from the Bridge Street Station on the West Side. Beyond this, Jes coached Mike’s daughter’s soccer team and their sons played baseball together. Mike also spent some time working on Truck 3 at the Bridge Street Station. The West Side ties run deep, what can we say?
The Firefighter union prefers to support local business when they can, and it’s a bonus when they can support a business that also supports the local community. Swift was able to help with the event and print the event program and large format banner displayed at the event.
“I am not a graphic designer but I can take anything to them and explain what I need. They knock it out of the park every time!” says Mike.
Blake and Dax Slaydon are getting a program at the game. Dax says, "Wow, look at the perfect stitching!”
Don’t miss next year’s game! Keep an eye out on Facebook and for fliers around town with more information about the 2025 matchup between GRFD and GRPD. If you’ve attended the game in the past, expect an email with all the details. We’re rooting for you, GRFD!
