Old Bridge Local 127 presses first
“Bench for Blue” charity event
Golf outings and wine tastings aren’t for everybody. So, when
Old Bridge Local 127 President George Anderson started to
brainstorm about a new charity event that could offer a differ-
ent experience for members, he decided to focus on his passion
for powerlifting.
On May 21, law enforcement and local civilians gathered at
the Old Bridge YMCA gymnasium to flex their best abilities for
the first annual “Bench for Blue” weight lifting competition.
With music pumping and plenty of support from sponsors
like Eat Clean Bro, which offered free samples of pre-packaged
meals and nutrition supplements, Anderson knew that “Bench
for Blue” would become an NJ State PBA charity event here for
years to come.
“I’ve been competing in powerlifting my entire life, so I kind
of know what a good event is,” confirmed Anderson, who pur-
chased a bench and other equipment necessary for the com-
petition after coming up with the idea. “A lot of people called
and texted me the day after saying it was a great event that was
different than usual.”
Men and women from weight classes between 115 and 308
pounds competed throughout the day in the competition,
which raised $2,500 for the Survivor and Welfare Fund. A por-
tion of the proceeds from the event were also donated to the
local high school to purchase new gym equipment.
“We’ve got to take care of our own,” Anderson simply stated,
after confirming that “Bench for Blue” weight lifting competi-
tions will continue to be held throughout the year to give back
to charities that benefit law enforcement. d
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ JUNE 2017 81