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The Troy Police Department and Troy Fire Department will be joining up to take part in Charles Henderson Middle School’s Spring Flag Football game this week along with taking part in Buddy Night with the Troy Miracle League later in May.

The annual Spring Flag Football Game featuring the Troy Fire Department and Troy Police Department competing alongside Charles Henderson Middle School football players will take place Thursday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the CHMS Football Field.

“It’s a good time for us to interact with these children – these kids in middle school – where some of them we’ll usually only see on their worst days outside of something like this,” Troy Fire Chief Michael Stephens said. “So, it’s good for them to see us at a positive time in their life. It’s also a good team building time for us and the police department and gets us away from the job and on the field and it does get competitive sometimes. It’s cool to be able to interact with those middle schoolers.”

While Stephens said it may get competitive between the fire department and police department, he said it’s not about who wins or loses.

“It’s about getting out there with the kids and watching them smiling and interacting with our members and law enforcement members,” Stephens emphasized. “To me, when they walk away smiling that’s the win.”

Additionally, the Troy PD and Troy FD will be coming together to take part in Troy Miracle League’s Buddy Night on Tuesday, May 14, at 5:45 p.m. at the Miracle League Field at the Troy SportsPlex.

“We’ve been partnering with Miracle League for probably the last five or six years and it’s really a great opportunity for our people to get out there and enjoy time with these athletes,” Stephens continued. “It’s a chance to learn about some of their capabilities and non-capabilities. A lot of times when they see us or law enforcement in the public it’s when they’re having a bad time, so it builds trust and puts a face with the name.

“It helps us understand some of their capabilities and limitations, so when we do see them in a non-game situation it makes it a little bit more easy on them and helps us understand what we’re up against as far as limitations.”

Stephens emphasized that taking part in Miracle League isn’t just a fun time but is inspirational and urges everyone in the community to take part at some point.

“It’s just a fun night overall and anyone that’s been a part of it can attest that it’s a very inspirational thing,” he said. “To get to go out there and see these athletes – and their enjoyment – and being part of a team is overwhelming sometimes.”

The Miracle League is currently taking donations for the resurfacing of the Miracle League Field at the Troy SportsPlex. Anyone that wishes to donate can contact Dan Smith at Troy Parks and Recreation.