BoB Wins Community Award

Battle of the Badges organizers that is!

The Sultan Education Foundation honored the Battle of the Badges Team with its 2025 Community Award

For over 10 years the Foundation has sponsored the Battle of the Badges softball

game under the direction of Elizabeth Emmons and Steve Tonkin. Collectively

they have generated almost $30,000 for the scholarship fund.

Elizabeth and Steve have been responsible for the vast majority of the fundraising

work and team organization. The game is a battle between the Police and

Firefighters. It’s a great way to add some silly fun to really serious jobs. The jokes

fly from the very first symbolic presentation of a box of donuts from the

firefighters to the police. The police like to point out that donuts are delicious and

they still plan to beat the firefighters.

People choose which team they are cheering for by purchasing a blue shirt to

support the police or a red shirt to support the firefighters. Jim Fulcher always

provides the shirts and Dave Moon’s Tech team makes it festive! But no matter

what color you pick we are all there to support Sky Valley students who plan to

become first responders or work in health care.

A few years ago we added Chief Hess representing the Sultan police department

and the Sultan McDonalds/D-Lark Team to our support group. The McDonalds Fry

truck was a huge hit with fans but sadly it’s been decommissioned. Not to worry!

They have come up with an upgrade for us! This year they will be serving

cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets. Having them on site to encourage folks to

donate to the Foundation in exchange for yummy’s has increased the success of

the scholarship fund each year they’ve been involved. I expect it’s going to be

even better this year! When I thanked them after the last game they said “we are

always happy to support ‘our’ kids!”

Three years ago one of the scholarship winners was Hailey Cluff. This year she is

Sky Valley Fire’s Rookie EMT of the Year! Always a great investment!

It takes a lot to organize that many first responders and work on sponsorships all

at the same time. Steve and Elizabeth make it look easy because they care so much

about these kids. We are so happy to have Chief Hess and the Sultan McDonalds

on the team and can’t wait to see how it works out this year!

The date for this years game is May 18 at the Sultan High School Softball field.

Hope you can come and join the fun!

Sponsorships and T-shirts

Please help me Thank Elizabeth Emmons, Steve Tonkin, Craig Hess and the Sultan

McDonalds Team lead by David Santillanes, Linda Massingale, Ngoc Elaydo!