3rd Annual “Battle Of The Badges” To Benefit
Children’s Healthcare Of Atlanta & Camp Braveheart

WHO: Metro Atlanta Police/Fire Hockey Team; The Gwinnett Gladiators; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta’s Camp Braveheart (for children and teens affected by heart disease and heart transplant recipients), a partner of Camp Twin Lakes.

WHAT: The Gwinnett Gladiators, ECHL Affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers, along with a number of law enforcement and public safety agencies, are hosting a Public Safety Day at The Arena at Gwinnett Center on Sunday, March 18, 2007 before the Gladiators take on the Florida Everblades.  The playoff-bound Gladiators are currently fighting for the top spot in the ECHL South Division and are working on a solid 4th season in the ECHL.

With a special focus on child safety, the day will feature pre-game demonstrations with Police, Fire and Public Safety personnel and equipment.  A fire safety house, K-9 unit, fire engines, police vehicles, SWAT, helicopters and a section where parents can have their children fingerprinted will all be on hand before the game on the Plaza outside The Arena at Gwinnett Center.

WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 2007
Free Public Safety Event followed by a Double Header

Public Safety Event 2:00 pm
Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Florida Everblades 4:05 pm
Metro Atlanta Police & Fire vs. South West Florida Firefighters begins immediately afterwards.

WHERE: The Arena At Gwinnett Center - Capacity: 11,355
I-85 @ Sugarloaf Parkway, just 10 miles north of “Spaghetti Junction”
FREE Parking!

WHY: In memory of Cody Otts (October 23, 2003-May 5, 2005)

From the minute he was born on October 23, 2003, Cody Otts held a special place in his father’s heart.  His dad, Special Deputy U.S. Marshal Kevin Otts, has worked with the Metro Atlanta Police Department for the past 10 years and began hunting the most wanted criminals in the Southeast as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal a year and a half ago. He was also one of the very first players to begin playing with the Metro Atlanta Police/Fire Hockey Team. The 6’1”, 180-pound forward from Michigan never imagined he and the team, which has grown from 15 to more than 40 players, would be skating for his son.

Just 12 hours after Cody was born at Rockdale Hospital, he was transferred to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston with multiple heart defects. Despite extensive care, Cody’s heart continued to weaken and on May 5, 2005 Cody died.  For Kevin, his hockey team continues to be a big part of his life—every year, they raise funds for Children’s in Cody’s memory.  The funds are directed to Camp Braveheart, a partner of Camp Twin Lakes, and special camp for children and teens affected by heart disease and heart transplant recipients ages 7 to 18. At Camp Braveheart, they have a chance to do the things that other kids do, with no worries of medical procedures, and no fear of being different from their peers.  Camp Braveheart is weeklong event at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Ga.


TICKETS: Tickets are available from any Atlanta Police/Fire Hockey Team member or by calling Walt Mcready during daytime hours (770) 714-1240. They can also be purchased by visiting: www.metroatlpolicefirehockey.com.  Tickets are $16 and proceeds go to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the leading pediatric healthcare systems in the country, is a not-for-profit organization that benefits from the generous philanthropic and volunteer support of our community.  Operating three hospitals with more than a half a million patient visits annually, Children’s is recognized for excellence in cancer, cardiac, neonatal, orthopaedic and transplant services, as well as many other pediatric specialties.  Children’s is ranked as one of the top three children’s hospitals nationwide by Child magazine and is among U.S.News & World Report’s top pediatric hospitals. Children’s has also been named as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE magazine. To learn more about Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, visit www.choa.org  or call 404-250-KIDS.