By FireRescue1 Staff
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — A group of firefighters and EMTs are celebrating their 31st year of putting on dance performances for spring breakers on the beach to raise money.
News-Press reported that the Greater Cincinnati Firefighters are spending two weeks performing at Fort Myers beach to raise money for the Araba Shriners of Fort Myers transportation fund, which provides transportation to an orthopedic hospital, as well as occasional emergency transport for burn victims.
The group began 30 years ago when the first responders went on vacation to Fort Myers Beach. They relaxed by goofing off with impromptu performances and decided to make it an official group when they realized they could raise some money with the crowds they were drawing.
“I love it,” Angelo Scarlato Jr., who is following in his father’s footsteps and performing with the group for the second time, said. “I grew up hearing about it, now I get to do it. It’s fun.”
The crew’s most popular skits include performances to the Blues Brothers, the YMCA and an impersonation of performer Kid Rock.
The Greater Cincinnati Firefighters raised $17,346 for the Araba Shriners in 2017, $14,237 in 2016 and $11,000 in 2015.