Local law enforcement officers will face off against fightfighters and EMS paramedics at the second annual Guns-N-Hoses event at Centre Ice Arena on Saturday, February 7.

The event began as a fundraiser last year for 17-month-old Draven Dunklow, who was battling retinoblastoma (a rapidly developing eye cancer) that required numerous trips to DeVos Children's Hospital. The event attracted nearly 1,200 attendees. "(It) surpassed our wildest expectations last year," says Captain Tony Posey of the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department. "It was literally standing room only, and the outpouring of support for the Dunklow family and their son Draven was amazing. When we learned of another family in need this year, the support and the pieces for this year's event began to fall into place."

16-year-old Christopher Kohler will be the recipient of event proceeds this year. Kohler and his family have faced mounting medical expenses as they visit the Mayo Clinic to pursue a diagnosis and treatment for multiple brain masses discovered after Kohler visited an emergency room following a rugby injury last April. His mother Amanda has worked as a corrections officer for four years at the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office and attended last year's event.

"We are very fortunate to get to be part of such a supportive and thoughtful community," she says. "We have been very blessed with so much support from everyone. I can't explain how appreciative we are."

Tickets for the fundraiser are $5 and can be purchased in advance at any branch of Traverse City State Bank. Tickets will also be sold at the door. A silent auction begins at 6:30pm, pregame begins at 7pm and the game begins at 7:30pm. All proceeds will benefit the Kohler family through the assistance of Traverse City State Bank; additional donations are welcomed and encouraged.