Batavia charity hoops game a slam dunk against child abuse
The first "Books vs. Badges" charity basketball game 2011 in Batavia was won by firefighters and police.
Batavia School District 101 teachers triumphed in the next two games in the next two years.
After a one-year hiatus, the two sides will resume their friendly rivalry to raise money for charity.
So will the Badges team even the series on April 25?
"We'll give it our best shot," chuckled Randy Banker, Batavia deputy fire chief and player/coach for the Badges team.
The game will be held at 6 p.m. in the main gym at Batavia High School, 1201 Main St., Batavia.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children, seniors and students with an ID.
A 50-50 raffle, halftime half-court challenge and concessions also will be available to help raise money for CASA Kane County, a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides court advocates for abused and neglected children.
Banker said three 'Books vs. Badges' games were held to raise money for the city's July 4 fireworks display. But the committee that organizes that event went in a different direction, so no basketball game was held last year.
But students and community members began emailing Banker, asking to bring it back.
"The Books vs. Badges game basically was defunct," he said. "They missed it."
Some of Banker's fellow firefighters are advocates for CASA, and he thought it would be a good idea to hold the event to help CASA during National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
Organizers hope for a full house on April 25.
"It's really taking off, People are excited," Banker said.
Likewise, said JoAnne Smith, principal at Batavia High School.
"Our pep band will perform and we hope to bring in a large crowd," Smith said. "We know that this will be a fun night."
Lori Hewitt, CASA director of development, said organizers hope raise $5,000 and make the game an annual event each April.
"They missed it for a year, so everyone is excited to bring it back," Hewitt said. "It's helping all of Kane County."