South Buffalo fire department to host Kevin Haas memorial truck pull

The South Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a truck and tractor pull to memorialize a friend.

The Kevin Haas Memorial Truck and Tractor Pull will be held at the fire hall on Saturday.

It’s a fitting tribute to Haas, who died in May, said Erin Pflueger, a member of South Buffalo’s fire department and the event’s organizer.

Haas approached the fire department last year regarding their pulling track, Pflueger explained. The department hadn’t used it much in recent years, but Haas wanted to revive it. He worked with the fire department to begin hosting events on the track again.

Haas spearheaded a truck and tractor pull last year that raised $30,000 for a local girl who was fighting cancer.

“Kevin helped us from day one to put that benefit together and he helped make it a huge success,” Pflueger said.

When Haas died, Pflueger said, the fire department decided that this year’s benefit event should help his family.

“The entire department considered him a close department friend,” Pflueger said. “Kevin had a heart of gold. He would do anything for anybody.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit his 7-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, who goes by Mack — also the name of the truck her father pulled.

“It means a lot to see all the people who cared so much for Kevin come out and support the event like this,” said Mackenzie’s mother, Nicole Lojack. “I hope Mack remembers this for years to come. I hope she remembers seeing all the people who loved her daddy and her.”

Admission for the event is free and participants can register the day of the event.

In addition to the truck and tractor pulls, there will be a car show, bake sale, basket raffle and concession stands.

“This isn’t about making money for the fire department,” Pflueger said, “it’s about getting the community together.”