Four first responder teams are competing Thursday, July 7, at 6 p.m. in as Battle of the Badges dodgeball tournament in the Golden West School community gym on North Main Street.

Competing teams will represent the Manteca Fire Department, Manteca Police Department, Lathrop Manteca Fire Department and the Manteca District Ambulance.

Tickets at the door are $5 for general admission and $10 for VIP courtside seats.

Proceeds will benefit the Manteca Police Chief’s Foundation and the Manteca Fire Chief’s Foundation.

The concession sales will benefit the Manteca Police K9 Association.

The Manteca Fire Chief's Foundation is set up to help victims of fire, promote fire prevention education, advocate firefighter safety, and assist with improving community safety.

The Manteca Police Chief’s Foundation’s purpose is to expose the youth of the community to positive choices and goals to aspire to and to help them achieve them.

The foundation’s website notes the most significant crime issue facing America’s youth today is drug related gang violence.

It notes law enforcement know understands gangs are as much about lifestyle and environment as about crime so they “cannot arrest away this problem.
 The Manteca Police Chief’s Foundation focuses on changing the environment for at-risk youth by providing them with the power of a choice. Through mentor-ship, citizenship, leadership, vocational training, and recreation programs they provide positive alternatives to the gang and drug lifestyle.

Government agencies no longer have the funds for these programs so the Chief’s Foundation is determined to raise those funds needed for such efforts.

 With the help of civic groups, members of the community and concerned corporations the “foundation is determined to save our communities, one child at a time.”

The Chief’s Foundation is staffed by police officers, police department staff members, and concerned and  community members.