Police and first responders hit a slam dunk for Gathering Place

Police officers, sheriffs, firefighters and military members went head to head on the court on Saturday to raise money for the Gathering Place. 

The first-ever N.L. Battle of the Badges basketball tournament was held at the PowerPlex for two days.

Tyler Ryan, a correctional officer at Her Majesty's Penitentiary, said the other officers and emergency personnel jumped at the opportunity to participate. HMP officers formed two teams and some even travelled from the Labrador Correctional Centre and Stephenville. 

"We all have one common goal and that's that we're here to help people," said Ryan, adding that all the players wanted to help raise funds for an important cause. 

"The Gathering Place is a great resource for people who are struggling," he said.

Ryan said he learned about the Gathering Place while volunteering there as a part of his correctional officer training program. 

"They serve three hot meals a day, they house people, they have computers there for people, there's counselling," said Ryan. "It's just a tremendous resource for so many." 

In total, they raised $9,002 for the Gathering Place, with one of the HMP teams winning bronze, the Sheriff's Office winning silver and the RNC taking gold. 

More funds needed at the Gathering Place

Police officers are crucial to the centre's operations says the Gathering Place's fund development manager Andrew Holm. 

"We help thousands of people in our community and we wouldn't be able to do what we do without the auxiliary support of people who wear a badge," said Holm.

WATCH | How some friendly games of basketball support a St. John's shelter:

Shooting hoops for a good cause: First basketball Battle of the Badges a full success, say organizers

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Front-line workers, including firefighters, correctional officers and military members, hit the court over the weekend to raise funds for the Gathering Place. The money is needed to keep daily operations running, and provide shelter and hot meals for those in need.

This made the tournament all the more important for Holm, who said not only did it help them raise funds, but also bring them together professionally.

Holm says the need for the Gathering Place's resources have grown exponentially. 

"A couple of years ago we were probably serving 200, 300 meals a day. Now, we're pushing 500, 600 meals a day," he said. 

The facility is also working on expanding its transitional and supportive housing services and hopes to eventually house up to 90 people a night.

The ultimate goal is to help get people back up on their feet, said Holm, but they need more money to keep doing that. 

"We need to do more, and we have the ability to work together as a community to do so," said Holm. 

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