Annual football game supports state trooper, tow truck driver struck on Northway

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Colonie Village and Stanford Heights Fire Departments firefighters played head-to-head on Saturday in their annual charity football game at Cook Park. In years past the game brought in money that would go directly to Toys for Tots, but a recent crash involving a local first responder and tow truck driver on the Northway prompted the departments to raise funds for those in recovery.

One week ago, New York State Trooper Nicholas Abbondola was conducting a traffic stop that required a car to be towed when he and Brett Dempsey, a tow truck driver, were hit by a passing vehicle near Exit 7 on the Northway. 

Jeff Kayser, the Colonie Fire Company Chief, said he and his crew held the fundraiser with the goal to help people who help people.

"We were on a call when the accident happened; we were all pretty upset to listen to the accident as it unfolded," Kayser said. "So, before the guys even got back to the station from the call they were on, they were like, 'Let's do this for the guys that were hurt up there'."

The firemen set up a boot drive for the family of the Abbondola and a toy drive for the Dempsey and his five kids. Kasyer said nearly 100 people came out in support with either money or toys.

"This gives them a sense that their loved ones are not forgotten in this time of need," Kasyer said. "And that people out there want to take care of the men and women taking care of people every day as a course of their duties. So I would think their families and friends would be happy to know people want to do what they can for them."

Friends close to Dempsey and his girlfriend have raised over $18,000 through GoFundMe in support of his recovery.