The Monadnock Valley Patriots Battle of the Badges fundraiser returned to ConVal on Friday night, with hundreds of community members turning out to watch members of the Peterborough Police Department and five local fire departments take on each other in basketball, along with members of the Monadnock Valley Patriots Special Olympics team.

Members of the Patriots, who come from around the Peterborough area, range in age from 16 to 70. Fourteen played in Friday night’s game, which was won by the police team.

Organizer Deb Coyne said the Battle of the Badges was a regular fundraiser for the Monadnock Valley Patriots until the COVID pandemic.

“This is our first time doing this event again since 2019, and we’re hoping we will back every year,” Coyne said. “Everyone we reached out to immediately stepped up to help, and ConVal let us use the gym for no cost.”

Amanda DiNino, parent of a Patriots member and an organizer, said the Patriots are grateful for the strong support from the community.

“We’re so thankful for the help from the firefighters and the Police Department at this wonderful event for our athletes,” DiNino said.

Volunteers who helped with the game included John Szep and Larry Pimental from ConVal; Kevin McDaniel of N’E Thing RC Hobby Shop and Racetracks, who provided commentary; and referees Ryan Close and Charlie Harvey.

Coyne credited Peterborough Fire Chief Ed Walker for organizing firefighters from the Peterborough Fire Department along with firefighters from Hancock, Dublin, Jaffrey and Rindge to play in Friday night’s game, while Lt. George Xenakis and Deputy Chief Justin Hyland of the Peterborough Police Department recruited their whole department to play. The Patriots’ next event is a state basketball tournament on April 12, followed by regional and state summer games.

The Patriots have a traditional team as well as a Unified team.

“Our Unified athletes play with a partner, while others play regular basketball,” Coyne said.

The Monadnock Valley Patriots Special Olympics partners special athletes, Unified athletes, parents, guardians, families, friends, volunteers and sponsors to provide a competitive experience allowing growth of individual skills, and to enable the opportunity to share in the accomplishments, both athletically and socially, of adult special athletes. For information go to facebook.com/groups/742841032410235.