Chicopee’s Battle of the Badges returns for its 10th year

The Chicopee Fire and Police departments take a picture together after last year’s Battle of the Badges event.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

CHICOPEE — The Chicopee Police and Fire departments will lace up their skates to compete in the 10th annual Battle of the Badges charity hockey game.

The event will take place on Saturday, March 28 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at 125 Capital Dr. in West Springfield.

The Chicopee Fire Department is looking to defend its crown after winning last year’s matchup. That event raised $7,000 for local organizations and charities, as well as the Battle of the Badges scholarship fund.

According to Police officer Chris Galindo, who participates in the game and helps organize the event, the day raises anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.

Part of the proceeds go to the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club and the Battle of the Badges for future endeavors. The remainder of the money goes toward another charity or cause that is decided by the Police and Fire departments after the game.

Additionally, a scholarship is offered to a Chicopee High School and Chicopee Comprehensive High School student athletes. Applications are available after the game takes place.

“I love it as a community event as a whole,” Galindo said. “You obviously see friends and family there to come and support. You see business owners that sponsor, business owners that you’ve had interactions with and became friends. It’s the random families that come that may have never seen a hockey game before, and they have a pretty darn good experience.”

The game runs like a regular National Hockey League game with three, 20-minute periods. Raffles will also be available throughout the game.

“I’m biased. It’s the best game in the world,” Galindo stated when talking about competing in the event. “I have fun every time I step on the ice. For the past 10 years, Fire and Police have come together in a camaraderie type of way and kind of humanizing the badge for a community event.”

The Police Department has won six of the nine matchups so far, but the Fire Department has won the last two matchups. Galindo said they hope to bring the trophy back to their department this year.

Although the game itself features a winner, Galindo said real winners are the ones receiving the donations.

“It just helps support our cause of raising money for the community,” he said. “It’s the Police and Fire, but really what it is, it’s the community looking out for everybody coming out. That’s what I really get out of it. Everybody comes together for the right reasons to support us, to support you.”

Tickets are $10 a person and free for children 12 and younger. The admission fee will be assessed at the door.

This year’s presenting sponsor is PeoplesBank, who Galindo wanted to thank for their $1,500 support.