TREMONT — People and their all-terrain vehicles got dirty for a good cause Saturday in the borough.
Krawlin for COPS was held at Rausch Creek Off-Road Park. At least 330 vehicles participated in the event to bring awareness of police officers and others in law enforcement who died in the line of duty and help their survivors.
Proceeds from the $25 registration fee go to the Pennsylvania and Maryland chapters of Concerns of Police Survivors, a nonprofit that helps families of those who have died. A fee was also charged to go on the trails in the park. This is the first year for the event in Schuylkill County. The other two events were held in West Virginia. Riders followed a guide over the 3,000-acre park with more than 30 miles of trails for them to explore.
“Our goal is $20,000. I have faith that we can meet it,” Brandt Bartman, founder, said before the event.
The event raised more than $20,000, Bartman said. Raffle tickets were also available for a chance to win gift cards and other items. Bartman, who is an officer with the AMTRACK Police Department, Baltimore, said he thought of the idea in 2013. The first event was in 2013. He picked the site in Tremont because of its reputation.
“I’ve been off roading since I was 16. This place is nationally known,” he said.
Sam Irwin, 20, of Westminster, Maryland, and his girlfriend, Paige Canova, 20, of Manchester, Maryland, were there to support the cause. Irwin’s father, Doug Irwin, is a captain in the Baltimore County Police Department.
Sam was in his ’97 TJ with a 3 1/2 inch lift. He wanted to see if he could go out and “break something” on all the rocks. As he drove away, a “police lives matter” bumper sticker was visible on the back of the Jeep.
Tony Kaledas, 22, of Friedensburg, and his friend, Aaron Kalochie, 21, of Saint Clair, drove on the course.
“It will stay this way for a couple of weeks,” Kaledas said of the dirt caked on his Jeep Wrangler.
He said the event is a for a good cause.
“If you break it, you have a good day,” he said of the parts on his vehicle.
A red jack was secured on the hood just in case he needed it during his ride.
Sean Kille, police liaison for the Maryland chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, said the help means a lot.
“It’s huge to know you have that kind of support from the public,” he said.
Kim Weigand, liaison for the Pennsylvania chapter, also said the support from communities is heartwarming and overwhelming.