CULLMAN, Ala. – Victim Services of Cullman will host its first-ever Pulling for Survivors fire truck pull event on Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Heritage Park. The family friendly event is both a fundraiser and a show of support for community survivors of domestic violence.
Teams of 10, consisting of local first responders, businesses, schools and community members, will compete to pull a fully loaded fire truck across a set distance. Spectators are encouraged to come out and support their favorite teams from the sidelines.
“This is our first year hosting this event, and we couldn’t be more excited or more moved by the response we’ve already seen from the community,” said Jessica Atchley, executive director of Victim Services. “The idea for the event came from a deep desire to create something meaningful, a space where people could come together, raise awareness and stand with survivors of domestic violence in a visible, powerful way.”
Team registration is currently open with a fee of $250 per team. The deadline has been changed to July 1 to accommodate the rescheduling of the event. Teams are encouraged to raise additional funds, with awards going to top fundraisers, fastest pulls and most spirited teams. Individuals can also support the cause by sponsoring a team or donating directly through each team’s spotlight page on the Victim Services Facebook page.
Additionally, the event will include bounce houses, live entertainment and food vendors including The Butcher Chuck Wagon, Carnival Cravings, Beto’s Tacos and The Street Kitchen. Current participating teams include Cullman Fire Rescue, Cullman Police Department, Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Jones Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, The Garage, Premier Bank of the South, 3Sixty Jeep Club and the Cullman VFW.
Funds raised through the event will directly benefit the Victim Services program, which provides critical resources such as emergency sheltering, counseling, legal advocacy and recovery support to survivors in the Cullman area.
“The funds raised from this event go directly into our Victim Services program, which means they’re helping someone at the hardest moment of their life,” said Atchley. “When people show up for this event, they’re showing up for their neighbors, their coworkers, their classmates — because the truth is, most of us know someone who has been affected by violence, even if we don’t realize it. This is a chance for our community to stand in solidarity.”
She added, “We’ve poured so much heart into planning this because we know how needed it is. Victims of domestic violence often suffer in silence and we wanted to create an event that says, ‘You are not invisible. You matter and we are here for you.’ While this may be the first year, it’s the beginning of what we hope will become a longstanding tradition, one rooted in compassion, community and healing.”
To register a team, become a sponsor or donate, contact Jessica Atchley at jessica@victimservices.online or Lacey Lemley at lacey@victimservices.online.
For more information on Victim Services, call 256-775-2600 or visit the Victim Services of Cullman Facebook page.
Heritage Park is located at 1705 Lee Ave. SW, Cullman, AL 35055.
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