Banner Staff Report

Those attending this Saturday’s Chapmanville Christmas parade as part of “Christmas In The Ville” will notice some odd characters around.

No, it isn’t Halloween.

It’s the guys from Coalfield Championship Wrestling collecting can food items to give to the needy this holiday season.

The project is actually a variation of a similar program that was formerly sponsored by the now defunct Logan County Jaycees.

WVOW Radio and Logan Banner columnist Dave Allen is a former president of the Jaycees, and he says the event was always popular.

“Back when the Jaycees did this a few years ago we used to collect thousands of cans of food from the three Christmas parades, Logan, Man and Chapmanville. It just seemed like too good of an idea not to bring back,” said Allen.

In addition to his duties with WVOW and The Logan Banner, Allen has served as ring announcer for area wrestling organizations for over 20 years. In fact, Allen has actually been involved in wrestling longer than he has in radio. He explained that he decided to revive the “Cans for Candy” food drive after having a conversation with one of Coalfield Championship Wrestling’s Top Stars, “Rock-N-Roller” Tommy Gibson. Gibson was happy to lend a hand to the campaign, as were several other wrestlers from the area, including former five-time champion Psycho, “Adorable” Danny Ray, Big Daddy Gordy, “Chance Prophet” Joey Nelson, The Doctor and Allen’s sidekicks, “Bald Headed Ernie” Martin and Moe “The Producer” Pennington.

The concept is simple. Area residents are asked to bring canned food items to area Christmas parades and to give them to the representatives from Coalfield Championship Wrestling. The CCW reps will in turn give the food givers candy. The food collected will be given to area food banks.

“The fans of Coalfield Championship Wrestling are the best in the world,” said Tommy Gibson. “We know all our fans will support us and help us to do our part to help those in need this Christmas season.”

For more information or to volunteer canned food items, you may call 752-5265 or 752-4232. Allen, Gibson and other Coalfield Championship Wrestling stars are also available for public appearances by calling either one of those two numbers.