Helmet Raffle To Help Cherokee Firefighter Battling Cancer

Residents now have another way to help a Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services first responder battling cancer.

A Sept. 11 Tribute Firefighter Helmet is being raffled off to help Cherokee firefighter and paramedic Dwayne Barbee, a U.S. Army veteran battling colon cancer.

The Georgia Chapter of the Terry Ferrell Firefighter Fund donated the helmet, and raffle tickets are available for purchase at Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services' headquarters, which sits at 150 Chattin Drive in Canton.

Tickets are $5 each and all of the proceeds will go towards Barbee's medical expenses. Those wishing to help can also send a check to P.O. Box 852, Holly Springs, GA 30142. The check should be made payable to CCPFF. 

Last weekend, a dodgeball tournament was held at Sequoyah High School to help raise money for Barbee. 

Ballin' For Barbee kicked off with a motorcycle ride, and the tournament started at noon. There were 23 teams on hand to participate, and the Cherokee County Fire Rookies team walked away with top honors.

The event also featured an arm wrestling contest between Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Robinson and Field Operations Chief Greg Erdely (with Erdely winning); bounce houses, kids' dodgeball games, door prizes, a dunking booth and raffle drawings.

The event brought in "well over $10,000 for Barbee," said Michael Sims, an event coordinator.

For more information, contact Todd Mullins at vtmullins@cherokeega.com.