Hockey game pits PD vs. FD to benefit local family

March 11, 2020 | Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

WEST?SPRINGFIELD – West Springfield’s Finest will face off against its Bravest in the Battle of the Badges, a hockey game to benefit a local family in their time of need.

“The police and fire departments are always passionate about giving back to the community,” said West Springfield Outreach Coordinator Carly Carmossi.

Jim Antico, an 18-year career corrections officer in Connecticut, died suddenly on Feb. 18. His two young children, ages 9 and 11, live in the West Springfield area.

“We like to do anything that we can to raise money for good causes,” said Firefighter Nick LaPalme. He said that usually when the departments have a game the winning team decides which charity will receive the donations. In this case, members of both departments knew Antico and decided to help his family.

“Our public safety officials are on the front lines, but they’re also the first people to give their time,” Carmossi said. At least 15 to 20 police and firefighters will be participating.

“They’re all athletes,” Carmossi said of the first responders involved, though she admitted not all are experienced hockey players.

The game will take place on March 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Amelia Park Arena, 21 South Broad St. in Westfield.

Donations are being accepted from sponsors but also from residents. While the game is free to attend, Carmossi said, there is a suggested donation, the proceeds of which will be put directly into a trust for Antico’s children. The departments are also looking for donations for a raffle on the night of the game that will raise money for the trust.

A GoFundMe page was set up to pay for the funeral expenses and support Antico’s family. The page has exceeded its $12,000 goal.

For more information, or to donate to the cause, contact Carmossi at ccamossi@tows.org, Nicholas LaPalme of the fire department at nlapalme@tows.org or Edmund Apostle with the police department at eapostle@westspringfieldpolice.org.

The GoFundMe page can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/remembering-jim-tico-antico.

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