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Emergency personnel to battle in paintball war, raise funds
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What was initially intended to be a rivalry match between law enforcement officers and firefighters blossomed into a fundaiser for PACK (People of action caring for kids). - photo by File illustration

SPRINGFIELD -- The Battle of the Badges is set Saturday. Employees from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Effingham Fire and Rescue, Effingham County EMS, Rincon Fire and the Rincon Police Department will battle it out as well as law enforcement, EMS and firefighters from surrounding counties.

This "epic paintball battle" was the brain child of firefighter Chad Gilgen and attorney Jamie Casino after a day of mud bogging. What was initially intended to be a rivalry match between law enforcement officers and firefighters blossomed into a fundaiser for PACK (People of action caring for kids).

Casino threw down a challenge and said if 10,000 likes were generated on a PACK Facebook page he would donate $10.000 for the charity that provides food to kids who might not have access to it anywhere else but school. On Tuesday night, that challenge was met and Casino put his money where his mouth is, having a check cut and ready to present at Saturdays event.

But that’s not the end of the story. The Combat Zone is also donating $5 from every ticket sold to PACK. The public is invited to join in the fun and come mix it up with law enforcement or fire and emergency services.

The cost to participate is $20. Spectators can watch for free.

The Battle of the Badges starts at 9 a.m. in the Combat Zone paintball arena at Big Nasty ATV Park.