Eastern Hancock’s School Resource Officer Zach Fuhrman went sledding with students earlier this year, claiming it was to make sure the snow was safe. Fuhrman passed away recently; a fundraiser event May 11 will go towards a scholarship for an Eastern Hancock student in Fuhrman’s memory.
Submitted photo
GREENFIELD – If laughter is truly the best medicine, take a triple dose next weekend for a good cause.
Night of Jokers is coming up May 11 in downtown Greenfield.
The 4 p.m. event at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts will open doors at 3 p.m. for pictures, drinks and merchandise.
Comedians Rik Roberts, Dave Dugan and Dave Wilson will perform to raise money for Blue Angel Connect, a Hancock County charity best known for its Holiday Hope Christmas program and supporting law enforcement. Proceeds benefit the holiday gift/meal program and a new scholarship fund in memory of the late Sgt. Zachary Fuhrman.
“What I enjoy about all three of these acts is that it is a clean, family rated, comedy show,” said Brent Burris, who is organizing the charity event. “I can promise lots of laughs at our show!”
Dave Dugan of Carmel has performed in Hollywood and made several national TV appearances on Comedy Central, HBO and the “Arsenio Hall Show.” He is a regular writer and contributor on the morning radio show “Bob and Tom” and can be heard regularly on Sirius radio.
“Some would describe (my comedy) as clean, original, observational, dry, sarcastic and free of puppets and fire-eating,” he said. “I will be sharing the stage with two other headliner comedians — Dave ‘The King’ Wilson and Rik Roberts. Well, we won’t be sharing the stage at the exact same time. That would be crowded and silly.”
Dave “The King” Wilson has been a professional comedian for over 40 years. He is also on “The Bob and Tom Show” and WIBC, and plays the role of the big man himself in Santa Claus, Indiana.
Rik Roberts is a Nashville, Tenn.-based comedian and speaker who focuses on providing 100% clean comedy. A married father of two, Roberts uses experiences from his own life and family for his material—which is very relatable to audiences.
“Everybody sees their own family,” he said. “In this house, they know if they say something funny it might go into the show.”
Roberts also portrays the character Barney Fife from black and white “The Andy Griffith Show” and will be dressed in character for pictures prior to the comedy acts. He portrayed the character in “Mayberry Man” movie and TV show, as seen on Amazon Prime.
Roberts said comedy is a great way to bring people together, and families can join for a good cause. They’ll be rewarded with laughter.
“If we don’t do it for a while, we forget how to laugh; it’s an important part of your well-being,” he said, adding that 30 minutes of laughter is a good as a cardio workout. “Come see us and skip a day at the gym.”
Money raised at the event will go toward the Blue Angel Connect’s annual Christmas gift giveaway, as well as a new scholarship fund in memory of Sgt. Zach Fuhrman of the Shirley Police Department who recently passed away.
“Sgt. Fuhrman played a huge role in the success of Blue Angel Connect,” Burris said. “He participated in all of our events, and when a new event came up and we asked for his assistance, it was never, ‘let me check my schedule and get back to you,’ but rather, “Sure, I will be there.’ He was also the school resource officer for Eastern Hancock Schools, a position he spoke very highly about. We will be offering this scholarship in his name to any graduating senior in 2025 from Eastern Hancock schools that is interested in pursuing a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice.”
Tickets for the comedy show are $30-$35 and sponsorships are available as well. Visit blueangelconnect.org/night-of-jokers for tickets. Proceeds from drinks, autographs and merchandise also benefit Blue Angel Connect.
Those that want to donate directly to the Fuhrman scholarship fund can do so by clicking on “donations” on the website.
