MARTINSBURG – Berkeley County’s community packed the gym for a first-of-its-kind charity basketball game between Martinsburg and Berkeley County firefighters, as the two departments traded turnout gear for jerseys in support of children’s health care.
The Berkeley County team pulled away for a 60-35 win, but organizers and participants said the final score was secondary to the cause: raising money for WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital.
The game marked the first time the two departments faced off on the basketball court for this effort, with members of Martinsburg Local 805 and Berkeley County Local 5045 organizing the event on their own time.
“They are both fundraising, and this is just one way that they’re doing that,” said Erin Blake, director of community and donor relations for the hospital system. “They’re all coming out on their free time to just come out and support the patients.”
Proceeds from the game will go toward the hospital’s greatest needs, with future plans to tie donations to specific equipment or programs. Blake said the impact is significant locally, noting that thousands of children from Berkeley County receive care through the system each year, including hundreds who require hospital stays in Morgantown.
On the court, Berkeley County built an early lead and maintained control throughout, while Martinsburg struggled to keep pace offensively. Still, the competitive spirit was matched by a strong sense of camaraderie between the departments.
Firefighters said the idea for the game originated with Martinsburg, which reached out to gauge interest. From there, Berkeley County players quickly came together, organizing practices and preparing for the matchup over the course of about a month.
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