Third Annual Battle Surpasses $ Raised
CT 08 30 17

Police Detective Jon Maples expressed appreciation to the city for its support of the event which took place on Saturday, August 26, 2017. Proceeds from the event benefit YMCA's Backpack Buddies Program, which provides food to local youth in need. Maples stated that it takes $150 per year to provide food for one child through the Backpack Buddies program, providing food for a child each weekend. This is the third year for the charity tournament and more than $2,000 was raised, surpassing a first year total of $1,300 and a second-year total of $1,400.

C-T 08 29 17 - At this past weekend's Battle of the Badges softball event, Cub Scout pack 120 presented the Colors, Councilman Tom Douglas gave the Pledge of Allegiance, and 9-year-old national anthem. Police Chief Rick Knouse and Fire Chief Darrell Wright each gave an opening pitch for the event that raised funds for the Grand River Area Family YMCA's Backpack Buddies program.

Second Annual Battle Benefits YMCA
10/01/16

The second annual Battle of the Badges benefit softball game between the Chillicothe Police department and the Chillicothe Fire Department that drew a big crowd and was such a success last year was held Saturday, October 1, at the Blue Field at Danner Memorial Park beginning at 7 p.m. Admission was a contribution with all proceeds going to the Y-Pals backpack program according to co-organizers Detective Jon Maples and Police Officer Michael Smith. The Chillicothe Police Department rallied in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead over the Fire Department and then held on in the bottom half of the inning to win a wild and fun-filled contest by a score of 28-26. Nearly $1,200 was raised both at the event and from donations prior to the annual fund raiser. Admission was a freewill donation collected in the bottom of the fifth inning by Councilman Tom Douglas who passed the hat through the audience to pick up some surplus cash. A special guest threw the ceremonial first pitch to kick off the evening activities. Miss Missouri 2015 McKensie Garber attended the event and threw out the first pitch and donated all proceeds from photos and autographs. Refreshments were available. Fourth Ward Councilman Paul Howard was the official umpire behind the plate and Scott Mumper worked the bases. The Boy Scouts presented the Colors and carried the American flag to the field. Third Ward Councilman Tom Douglas lead the pledge to the flag, and the national anthem was played. Mayor Chuck Haney served as the public address announcer. In last year's battle and fun before a full house, the fire department pulled off a 26-22 victory. Attendees were encouraged to bring the entire family and enjoy the evening and help support the Grand River Area Family YMCA backpack program.

Over $1,300 Raised for Backpack Buddies
By BRITTANY TUTT, CT
August 10, 2015

If one were to drive by Danner Park on Friday night, he or she might have thought a major emergency situation was occurring with all the emergency vehicles filling the park's parking lot. However, Friday night, August 7, 2015, was the first annual Battle of the Badges fundraiser event where the Chillicothe Police Department played against the Chillicothe Fire Department in a slow pitch softball tournament to raise money for the Grand River Area Family YMCA Backpack Buddies program. Backpack Buddies is a program that, in partnership with Second Harvest Community Food Bank and Grand River Vocational Technical School, provides easy to serve breakfasts, lunches and snacks to more than 100 needy children each weekend during the school year, including extended breaks. These meals are sent home with children on Friday afternoons after school in backpacks.

The Battle of the Badges fundraiser raised over $1,300 for the program Friday night, according to Chillicothe Police Department Detective, Johnny Maples. The $1,300 raised was from free-will donations provided by the supporters that packed the bleachers and the nearly 30 players that battled it out on the field Friday night. "This event was a good way for departments to come together and raise money for a program that needed it, and it was another way to show the community that we care," Det. Maples said. Both Fire Chief Darrell Wright and Police Chief Rick Knouse thought the event went over very well with the public. Chief Wright said he was proud of how the two departments came together and organized such a successful event. "I thought the event was absolutely fantastic. We were able to raise a lot of money for a good cause... It was a nice way for the departments to come together and pay the community back for all of their support. Both departments get so much support from the community so it's nice to be able to pay it forward when we can," Chief Wright said. On the field there was a lot of high-fiving and encouragement from one department to another. "Friendly competition" would be the perfect way to describe the game. Ultimately, the fire department won the game by 9 runs with the final score being 30-21; however, both teams were winners as they were able to provide hundreds of children with food.

C-T Photos / Brittany Tutt

Two youngsters were treated to a private tour of the Chillicothe Police Station by Detective Jon Maples and the fire station on Thursday, escorted by Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney (right).

The two children are involved with the Y-PALS program administered through the Grand River Area Family YMCA.

During the day, children rode in a police vehicle and a fire truck, ate lunch at a local restaurant, and went shopping. Currently, there are 20 youth involved in the Y-PALS program.

C-T Photo / Brittany Tutt