There were some big-league hockey players on the ice March 30th in Minot. No, they weren’t professionals – at least not professional hockey players.

They were professional police officers and professional firefighters, out in the community living up to their reputations as caring people willing to play rough for the benefit of somebody in need of a champion.

The charity hockey game they were playing – won 7-6 by the lawmen – raised nearly $14,000 for the Becky and Sheldon Schneider family whose daughter Scarlett is fighting a battle of her own – with Lupus. The story of her serious ongoing illness has been reported by Ashton Gerard of our staff.

Gerard reported that “while the Schneiders were focused on healing, the community was in the works to alleviate some of the pressure of their situation. Mike Crisp, senior firefighter of the Minot Fire Department, with the help of others, began work to put together a charity hockey game titled ‘Guns N’ Hoses.’ “

Ultimately, more than 700 people turned out for the event on a not so nice night in the Magic City. Friends and family and fans of hockey and of the players trudged through inches of falling snow to show support for the Schneider family. More than just money was raised that night; hope for Scarlett surely soared.

Well done law enforcement. Well done firefighters.

Now, who is going to win the upcoming Battle of the Badges blood drive? And, do you guys ever take a break?

Thankfully for the Schneiders and other families in need those breaks are few.

And thanks for bringing Scarlett and her family to our attention, so we can offer our prayers and good thoughts.

“She was given a very poor prognosis in the beginning,” Becky Schneider said of her daughter’s condition, “but she continues to prove that she is a fighter.”

It’s heartening to know that Scarlett is not fighting alone.