Battle for the Badges 2023 Charity Hockey Game – Supporting First Responders’ Mental Health
Event Overview
The 2nd Annual Battle for the Badges 2023 Charity Hockey Game will take place in Spruce Grove on March 22, 2023. The U18AA PAC Saints will face off against a team of Parkland RCMP officers and Spruce Grove Fire Department (SGFD) firefighters. This event aims to raise both funds and awareness for mental health support for first responders.
Mental Health: A Growing Concern
Mental health has become a rising concern, especially in recent years. Miles Valiquette, a local RCMP officer and event organizer, shared his thoughts on the matter. “First responders typically put on this hat and seem like we have it all together. We go out, face the fire, and help others, while dealing with our own daily challenges. We all struggle in our own ways, and we all know people who struggle. I love the program that Legacy Place Society has in place. If this event can help raise awareness for the struggles that first responders face, while supporting an organization that assists them, then I consider it an overall win.”
A Personal Statement from Miles Valiquette
“Mental health is no joke,” Miles added. “I hope people see that we’re all in this together. I’ve lost friends to mental health problems, and I see others battling it every day. Together, we can shed light on a dark issue and create change.”
Legacy Place Society: Supporting First Responders
All proceeds from the event will benefit Legacy Place Society, an Alberta-based organization that provides confidential peer support and accessible resources to first responders and military personnel. Legacy Place Society works to build family resiliency and support individuals facing the unique challenges of law enforcement, emergency medical/fire services, 911 dispatchers, veterans, and military personnel. The demanding nature of these professions can create emotional and physical challenges. PTSD, operational stress injuries, and other stressors can severely affect both the individual and their family.
Building Resiliency for Families and First Responders
Legacy Place Society is a registered charity that promotes a shared responsibility approach. This approach helps individuals and their families navigate adversity, reframe the difficult realities of their professions, and engage in healthy behaviors. The goal is to encourage behaviors that allow first responders and their families to recharge and reconnect. Legacy Place Society bridges the gap between individuals, their workplaces, and their families.
For more information on Legacy Place Society, visit www.legacyplacesociety.com or contact Executive Director, Diana Festejo, at diana.festejo@legacyplacesociety.com or (403) 201-9945.
Event Details
Date: March 22, 2023
Location: Grant Fuhr Arena
Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Puck Drop: 6:00 PM
This is a free event, though donations are welcome at the door. A 50/50 (AGLC# 635320), raffle (AGLC# 635589), and a draw for a Gift of Flight with WestJet (AGLC# 637220) will help raise funds for this important cause. Come out and fill the stands in support of first responders’ mental health. Everyone is invited to attend!
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you are interested in supporting this initiative through sponsorship, please contact Andrea Hunter at akhunter003@gmail.com or (780) 995-2447. You can also connect with the organizers via the Battle for the Badges Facebook page. Financial donations are tax-receipted, including possible gift-in-kind donations.
Media Contact
For media inquiries, please contact:
Miles Valiquette – Mvaliquette9@gmail.com | (780) 686-1693
Legacy Place Society Contact
For more details about Legacy Place Society, please reach out to:
Diana Festejo – diana.festejo@legacyplacesociety.com
0 Comments