The Rondeau Rod and Gun Club hosted a first-of-its-kind fundraiser that raised more than $14,000 for Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers earlier this spring.
Battle of the Badges saw teams take on a variety of challenges, including rifle, archery, trap, skeet, and action handgun competitions on May 24. Teams included Chatham-Kent police, OPP, fire department, paramedics, Moravian Police Service, Walpole Island Police Service, as well as a civilian squad.
Funds raised will be directed toward community initiatives including gun safety education, firearm awareness programs, and crime prevention initiatives throughout the region, organizers stated.
“Safe firearm handling isn’t optional, it’s a responsibility that every gun owner carries,” Rondeau Rod and Gun Club Past President Jon Seton stated. “We were honoured that Crime Stoppers asked us to be the host of an event that puts that message front and centre to more people across Chatham-Kent. Even though the current political atmosphere seems to pit the two sides against each other, from time to time, this event showcased the true camaraderie between legal gun owners and the law enforcement community.”
[With photo: battle of the badges. Credit Erica McIntosh, Chatham-Kent Police Service]
