A friendly rivalry battled out on the basketball court will benefit Aroostook families this winter.
Fort Kent’s ninth annual Badges vs. Blazes charity game will pit law enforcement against firefighters on Saturday, Nov. 14, to raise funds for a program that helps local kids who need a boost.
For the organizers, it’s a chance to have some fun away from jobs that can be harsh while also pulling the community together. But more than that, as inflation and heating costs soar all over Maine, the donated prizes — including 100 gallons of heating oil — and the funds they raise will make things a little easier for some of the region’s most vulnerable.
“It’s nice to see this whole community and local businesses come together, especially in the hard times that we’re living in now, to contribute to this event,” said organizer Bob St. Germain, Eagle Lake Fire and Rescue chief, who started the games with Fort Kent Police Chief Michael DeLena. “Everybody is just one big family. That’s what it feels like.”
This year, all proceeds will benefit the Shop with a First Responder effort, which not only helps kids buy holiday gifts for loved ones, but pays for family movie nights at the local cinema and an Easter activity.
It all started with a Facebook post. St. Germain had read about a charity game where first responders played a high school team, and mentioned starting something similar in the St. John Valley region. DeLena contacted him right away, he said.
They decided to focus on different local charities. The first year, they made enough to donate $2,000 to help Fort Kent Community High School install outdoor soccer lights. In the past they’ve helped the Hope & Justice Project, a brain injury support group, local scholarships and a substance use rehab facility, among others.
Last year’s basketball game raised more than $2,000 for the Ethan Townsend Memorial Scholarship Fund. Townsend, 12, died in 2022 as a result of a skiing accident in Fort Kent.
Firefighters have enjoyed getting together with law enforcement partners to socialize outside of their regular jobs, which aren’t always pleasant, St. Germain said.
The games — and Shop with a First Responder — also embody “community policing for kids,” as DeLena put it, giving kids a chance to see first responders in a different light, so when they see them around town or in school they appreciate them on a personal level.
“It’s absolutely fascinating as far as the smiles that we see,” DeLena said. “When we say we do this for the kids, this is what we love: the smiles, the hugs that we get, the fist bumps and the appreciation that we get from the families.”
The Fort Kent area school district identifies elementary-age students who may struggle financially with holiday gift-giving and help them make out wish lists, he said. Then, police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel take them shopping at Fort Kent businesses.
Other agencies, including the Maine State Police, Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, Customs and Border Protection and Forest Service, also pitch in, DeLena said.
After shopping, it’s back to the town office conference room to wrap all the gifts and enjoy a pizza party and a visit with Santa.
DeLena expects the high costs of food and fuel will affect more families this winter.
“We grow every year,” DeLena said. “We had 17 [kids] last year and I’m sure we’ll have more this year.”
The game will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Fort Kent Community High School gym.
DeLena and St. Germain want to see the place filled so the event can help as many people as possible. They have a few new surprises in store.
In a bid to involve the audience more, they’re gathering prizes from donors and businesses to raffle off. The grand prize is a three-day, two-night trip to a Boston Celtics game with seats near courtside. Second prize is 100 gallons of heating fuel, appropriate with oil prices at record highs. More prizes are forthcoming.
Raffle tickets are available at the Fort Kent Police Department or can be purchased at the event. Game admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under.
People look forward to the game each year, and so do the teams. There is a trophy involved, which travels either to the firefighters or police. It’s been with the firefighters for the past three years.
“It’s a great time and, of course, it gets a little competitive,” St. Germain said.
Will the firefighters win again?
“Oh, of course we will,” he said.