BATAVIA – Batavia High School physical education teacher Chad Hillman said the fact he was wearing number three on his jersey didn't help him at all in scoring two three-point shots in Sunday's Books vs. Badges basketball game.

"That was just convenient," Hillman said. His points helped his Books team, compromised of Batavia teachers, beat the Batavia police officers and firefighters on the Badges team, 68-59.

The fourth annual Books vs. Badges game was to raise money for the city's Fourth of July fireworks show, which is funded solely through private donations. The show is in danger of being canceled this year unless organizers can raise $50,000.

The Books team now has won the last three games. The Badges team won the first year.

But for Hillman, who has participated in all four games, the game was all about helping raise money for the fireworks show.

"It's a great cause," he said. "The Batavia fireworks are some of the best I've seen."

During halftime, dancers from Batavia's The Attic and Batavia Academy of Dace entertained the crowd.
 
Mark Davis, chairman of the Batavia Fireworks Committee, said its reserves are depleted because the committee has had to dip into the reserves the last few years to keep the show going. He said the committee has had to use the reserves because donations and sponsorships have been down the last few years.

The committee has recently secured $14,000 through corporate sponsors, and raised about $1,500 through the sale of "Save the Batavia Fireworks" buttons. The committee hopes to collect more donations through its annual city-wide garage sale on May 3 and 4.

"That's probably our biggest fundraiser," Davis said.

Donations can also be made by Batavia Fireworks Committee and sent to the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia , or going to www.bataviafireworks.org.