Comments for a Cause - Battle of the Badges

Happy New Year!  It is not only a new month of Comments for a Cause, but it is a new year of my Comments for a Cause program!  I will admit, it takes a lot of work to put this together every month and I considered making it a year-only program, but the people, organizations and causes that I have gotten to know through this program made me want to continue for another year.  So, if you have ideas for future Comments for a Cause causes, please contact me!  I love it when readers have reached out to me with ideas!

In the month of December I loved hearing stories of families and students that have participated in Dance Marathon!  Thank you for the 94 comments last month, resulting in a donation of $47 to Dance Marathon and the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.  I hope all of those participating in the Iowa State University's Dance Marathon on January 23rd & January 24th have a fun and successful event, especially Courtney and the Graber family.

In the month of January I am excited to help a local event that will be celebrating it's fifth year, Battle of the Badges, that supports Make-A-Wish Iowa, by donating $0.50 for every comment during the month.

North Iowa Fire and Police participating in the Battle of the Badges

Battle of the Badges is a friendly hockey game that puts firefighters from across North Iowa against law enforcement from North Iowa, all in an effort to raise money and awareness for Make-A-Wish Iowa.  This year's game will be held on Saturday, January 17th at 7pm at the North Iowa Ice Arena in Mason City.  Admission is $5 and 100% will go to Make-A-Wish!

Wish Kid Puck Drop

Make-A-Wish is an organization that is very near and dear to my heart and I am proud to be a volunteer and wish granter for the last seven years.  One of my favorite Wish events over the last few years has been the Battle of the Badges.  This is a fun event that brings many Wish families from across North Iowa together and who doesn't like to watch hockey!  The firefighters and law enforcement make this event so special for the Wish families in attendance.  They get to sit in a special seating section, get a personal meet and greet with the hockey players before the game and get to go out on the ice before the game for the official puck drop.  I know the Wish families look forward to this event every year to not only have fun, but have a time for fellowship.

Wish families in their private, special seating section

Since this year is the fifth year of the Battle of the Badges, the firefighters and the law enforcement have made a goal to raise $50,000!  You can help with that goal by buying your ticket today from the Mason City Police Department or Fire Department, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office, Coffee Cat or Matt Dodge American Family Insurance, or at the door the day of the event.  You can also talk to any of the firefighters or law enforcement participating in the event about being a sponsor.  And of course, you can comment on any of my blog posts all month long to help with this event's efforts.  So be sure to Comment for a Cause!