By Mark Ambrogi
Bill Nicholls wants to make sure the public understands The Heroes Club’s mission of providing support to Carmel first responders.
Nicholls, vice president of the Ritz Charles, was on The Heroes Club board when the club launched in 1996. He took a break from the board when his kids were young. But now that his kids are older, he has returned to help the group regain momentum in building support. He took over as the club’s board president last year.
“We maintained our commitment always through Ritz Charles,” Nicholls said. “I thought it was a good time to get back involved about a year ago. It needed an injection to get back on the map and rebrand. We’re trying to get our mojo again.”
The 20th annual Heroes Club Golf Outing, the club’s biggest fundraiser, will be held Oct. 10 at Woodland Country Club.
Christine Pauley, clerk treasurer for the City of Carmel, said the club’s chief objective is to provide a death benefit in the event something would happen to one of Carmel’s first responders. The benefit is a $150,000 life insurance policy for any police officer or firefighter serving in Carmel or Clay township who loses his or her life in the line of duty. Funds permitting, the club also provides grants for safety equipment or training.
“It’s reassuring to know if something happens, the family is going to be taken care of,” Carmel Fire Chief David Haboush said.
“It’s a benefit that we hope and pray we don’t have to use,” Carmel Police Chief Tim Green said. “As police officers we understand that others before us and firefighters have given their lives. It makes you feel that families will be OK for awhile with assistance like this. It means a lot to me as a police chief, and I know it does to the officers.”
Nicholls said he hopes the golf outing will be a launch pad for more businesses to get involved.
Nicholls said 100 percent of the proceeds go toward the cause. He said he is hoping to increase the number of golfers to 100, well above recent turnouts. Cost is $300 per player and $550 for two players. There are hole and beverage cart sponsorships available. Golf registration begins at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. There is a 5 p.m. dinner, which is courtesy of Ritz Charles.
“This is an opportunity for the Joe Smiths to give back to their first responders,” Pauley said. “Many in our community have been touched by a firefighter coming in. Maybe their loved one had a heart attack.”
For more, visit carmelheroesclub.com.
Heroes Club Golf Outing
When: 11 a.m. registration with shotgun start at noon Oct. 10
Where: Woodland Country Club, 100 Woodland Lane
Cost: $300 per player, $550 for two players
More info: carmelheroesclub.com
