Go & Do: Battle of the Badges gearing up for another exciting fundraiser for PAL
Some might ask what could possibly inspire local law enforcement officers, men and women, to lace up boxing gloves, don padded headgear, and potentially take several left jabs and maybe even a hard right uppercut to the jaw.
Their response might be something like this: Besides the obvious fun, you mean?
As many as 30 officers and civilian employees from the Bakersfield Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Corrections, Hall Ambulance, and a few more area first-responder agencies are lining up to compete in the 28th annual Battle of the Badges. It's an extravaganza of amateur boxing that provides not only entertainment, friendly competition, and fellowship, but also lends much-needed financial support to the Bakersfield Police Activities League and the many youngsters who benefit from it.
"This is one of the biggest fundraisers, maybe the biggest fundraiser for PAL," said BPD Senior Officer Juan Orozco, executive director of the activities league.
Orozco has years of experience at PAL, located at 301 E. Fourth St. in east Bakersfield. He worked for 2½ years as the PAL officer before moving into the executive director position earlier this year. As a result, he knows first-hand how the program has benefited countless at-risk children since its inception as a nonprofit organization in 1994.
"It's a safe place to go for at-risk youth," he said. "The benefits to these kids is huge."
In fact, some PAL kids have grown up to become police officers, he said. Others have become civilian employees of the department.
"Last year we had 19 fights," Orozco told The Californian. "This year, we're hoping to limit it to 15."
Orozco has fought three times in the ring at the "Battle," and he said this year's contests are bound to be exciting.
Police officers and other community members volunteer their time as coaches, mentors, role models, and friends to children in the community.
The young people who come to PAL have the opportunity to be involved in any number of activities, including academics and sports. But boxing has a long history at the nonprofit.
"Boxing is one of our biggest programs," Orozco said. "I know of three fighters who have gone professional, including Miguel 'Caveman' Contreras."
Contreras continues to visit PAL on occasion to let youngsters know that he came up through PAL, just like them.
Battle of the Badges is scheduled on May 17 at Building 1 at the Kern County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and bouts begin at 7 p.m.
General admission tickets are $30. Tickets can be purchased online (with an additional $5 processing fee) at bakersfieldpal.org or at the PAL office on East Fourth Street.
Reserved ringside seats are $50 and are sold at the PAL office or by phone by calling 661-283-8880.
First responders who are thinking about getting into the ring, and businesses and individuals who would like to help sponsor the event or the Bakersfield Police Activities League, should call 661-283-8880 or send an email to info@BakersfieldPAL.org.
