Badges for Bright Futures: Local First Responders Rally Creston Valley for Kids and Families

Badges for Bright Futures returns for its 3rd annual golf tournament and auction, uniting Creston first responders and local businesses to support Cops for Kids and year-round community programs.

7/22/20262 min read

By Media49 Staff | Photo: A full house for a great cause: 155 guests filled the Creston Community Complex on Saturday evening following the Badges for Bright Futures charity golf tournament to support Cops for Kids and local youth initiatives.

When local emergency personnel and first responders gear up in Creston, their work doesn't stop when the shift ends. For the third year running, members of the local first responder community have been hitting the links, gathering donations, and pouring energy into Badges for Bright Futures, a local non-profit society dedicated to supporting children and families facing tough times.

This past Saturday marked the return of the society's flagship fundraising event: a best-ball tournament at the Creston Golf Course followed by a dinner and silent auction at the Creston Rec Center.

The community response was overwhelming, bringing together 21 golf teams at the course and filling the Rec Center with 155 dinner guests.

Raising the Bar for Local Impact

"Our mission is simple: spread smiles, lift spirits, and ensure no family feels alone in their time of need," says Jamie Wall, Vice President of Badges for Bright Futures. "Whether it’s through fundraising events, community initiatives, or direct assistance, we work together to bring hope, comfort, and support."

A primary beneficiary of the annual golf tournament and auction is the Cops for Kids Society, an organization providing direct financial assistance to sick children and their families in Southeastern British Columbia facing complex medical challenges or exceptional healthcare expenses beyond insurance coverage.

The event’s impact has grown steadily since its inception:

Event Year

Cops for Kids Contribution

Year 1

$15,000

Year 2

$35,000

Year 3 (Current)

Aiming to meet or surpass $35,000

For Creston RCMP Detachment Commander and society member Staff Sergeant Brandon Buliziuk, keeping the impact close to home is a core part of the mission.

"The money goes to support Cops for Kids, providing financial assistance to sick children and their families in Southeastern B.C. for exceptional needs above insurance. But beyond that, we’ve been building our local community efforts over the last three years to keep this momentum going right here in Creston."

Supporting Creston Year-Round

While the golf tournament serves as the marquee summer event, Badges for Bright Futures operates throughout the year to tackle immediate local needs across the Kootenays:

Coats for Kids: Purchasing and collecting quality winter coats so local children stay warm during unpredictable winter weather.
Cram the Cruiser: Partnering with Pealow's Independent Grocer during the holiday season to collect non-perishable food items, toys, and clothing for the Creston Food Bank.
School Food Program Support: Collecting cash donations distributed directly to local elementary schools in Creston to support and strengthen their student meal programs.

Driven by Local Generosity

For Wall, seeing local businesses and residents step up year after year makes every hour of volunteer effort worthwhile.

"The impact is incredible," Wall explains. "Rather than watching our hard work only benefit large cities, we are seeing it being used right here in Creston and in the Kootenays. It honestly is only successful because of local business owners and the incredible giving spirit our town has."

"I have been incredibly blessed in my life," Wall added. "If I can be just a small part of blessing someone else in the hardest time of their life, then that is what I want to do. We started this foundation to help local need and to make sure children and families know they are not alone."

How to Get Involved or Support

To learn more about upcoming events, register for fundraisers, or donate directly to local programs:

Website: badgesforbrightfutures.com
Social Media: Follow Badges for Bright Futures on social media for event updates and seasonal initiative announcements.

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