GUNS and HOSES On-Line Store

The Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas began in the summer of 2002 as an idea to raise money to assist a local boxing program sponsored by the School Resource Officer Program of the Garland Police Department. This local boxing program was geared to assist at-risk youth by giving them an alternative to adopting a gang lifestyle.

The boxing program for at-risk youth began in 1995 and has grown to one of the largest amateur programs in the country with over 150 boxers and 17 volunteer coaches. The officer in charge, Lt. David R. Swavey, has directed the program since its North Texas inception and has been responsible for its tremendous growth since the beginning of the program.

Even though police officers and firefighters all around the country had always been involved in children’s programs and charities in their respective communities, funding had become increasingly difficult in spite of strong community support. In an effort to boost fund-raising, a decision was made to borrow from a St. Louis, Mo. organization who holds boxing tournaments annually to raise money to provide financial assistance for the families of fallen police officers and fire fighters in the area.

The Foundation staged the first Annual GUNS and HOSES Boxing Tournament in Jan. of 2003 with North Texas police officers and firefighters pitted against each other in the boxing ring. The tournament’s mission was to raise funds to benefit the youth of our community, to provide monetary support to families of firefighters and police officers who lose their lives while protecting and serving our community, and to donate designated funds to named charities of the fire and police boxing teams. Proof of the Foundation’s fund-raising success can be seen in the fact that the 7th Annual Guns & Hoses Boxing Tournament is planned for November 8th, 2008 in Mesquite’s Resistol Arena, also known as the Mequite Championship Rodeo Arena.

The Guns & Hoses Foundation of North Texas has been called upon many times since the summer of 2002 to assist families of officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty and the need for assistance will most likely continue to grow. Therefore, the Foundation has decided that it would be financially prudent to supplement the Boxing Tournament’s fund-raising success with an annual golf tournament. As a result, the 4th Annual GUNS and HOSES Golf Tournament was held on May 11th, 2008 at the Firewheel Golf Park in Garland, Texas.

We hope you will make plans to join us this year for the 7th Annual GUNS and HOSES Boxing Tournament to be held at the Resistal Arena in Mesquite, TX. on November 8th, 2008 as we plan to pay tribute to all those who have lost their life in the line of duty!