Promotion
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. FINALISTS REVEALED FOR CAPTAIN JOEL BARNES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

FINALISTS REVEALED FOR CAPTAIN JOEL BARNES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Friday, February 21st
FINALISTS REVEALED FOR CAPTAIN JOEL BARNES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

PORTLAND, ME – February 21, 2020 – The finalists have been revealed for the Captain Joel Barnes Community Service Award, which will be handed out at the Mariners game vs. the South Carolina Stingrays on March 1st: the one year anniversary of Captain Barnes’ tragic passing. The award was created in October by a partnership between the Mariners, Teamsters Local 340 and the Berwick Firefighters Association.

Captain Joel Barnes tragically passed away at the age of 32 on March 1st, 2019 from injuries sustained while saving another firefighters life, fighting a fire in Berwick. A public memorial service was held one week later at the Cross Insurance Arena, with over 7,000 attendees present. Barnes had served with the Berwick Fire Department for two years and was the Training Safety Officer for the Department.

The creation of the award was officially launched at the Mariners game on October 26th, 2019, and nominations were accepted on the Mariners website. Criteria included:

-Being a fire or EMS responder in the state of Maine-Having at least three years of experience and be either active or recently retired (within the last three years)-Demonstrating outstanding professionalism and service to their community, and a commitment to promoting life safety education

The finalists are for the award are Kevin Leavitt (Richmond Fire Department), David Petruccelli (Portland Fire Department), and Matthew St. Pierre (Hampden Fire Department).

On January 11th, 2020, the “Battle of the Badges,” was held in Barnes’ honor at the Cross Insurance Arena prior to the Mariners game against the Adirondack Thunder, as local firefighters played a hockey tournament to raise money for the Captain Barnes Memorial Fund. Between the all-inclusive ticket fundraiser, 50/50 raffle at the Mariners game, and t-shirt sales, $2,233 were raised.

Appropriately, that the Mariners opponent on March 1st is the South Carolina Stingrays. Captain Barnes worked for three years (2013-2015) for Horry County Fire Rescue in Myrtle Beach, prior to moving back home to Maine.

The puck drops at 3 PM on Sunday March 1st at the Cross Insurance Arena. The award will be presented during the second intermission. Members of the Berwick Fire Department will present the colors and conduct the ceremonial puck drop. A moment of silence will be held in Captain Barnes’ memory.

Groups of 10 or more can get discounted tickets by calling 833-GO-MAINE. Individual tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com, at the Trusted Choice Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena, or by calling 207-775-3458. All Saturday and Sunday home games also feature the Family Four Pack – four tickets, four food and drink vouchers, and four Mariners beverage koozies, starting at $80, and must be purchased in advance.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO THE MARCH 1 GAME

Upcoming Home Games

Full Schedule
Solar Eclipse Night
Friday, April 5th
Solar Eclipse Night
Puck Drops:
7:15 PM EDT
Cross Insurance Arena
Worcester Railers
WOR Worcester Railers
at
Maine Mariners
MNE Maine Mariners
Cross Insurance Arena
Medieval Night
Wednesday, April 10th
Medieval Night
Puck Drops:
7:00 PM EDT
Cross Insurance Arena
Adirondack Thunder
ADK Adirondack Thunder
at
Maine Mariners
MNE Maine Mariners
Cross Insurance Arena
Switch Appreciation Night
Friday, April 12th
Switch Appreciation Night
Puck Drops:
7:15 PM EDT
Cross Insurance Arena
Adirondack Thunder
ADK Adirondack Thunder
at
Maine Mariners
MNE Maine Mariners
Cross Insurance Arena

Latest News

More News
MARINERS COMPLETE 5-1 HOME STAND WITH 5-3 WIN
MARINERS COMPLETE 5-1 HOME STAND WITH 5-3 WIN
ASKEW SCORES TWICE AS MARINERS FALL TO GROWLERS
ASKEW SCORES TWICE AS MARINERS FALL TO GROWLERS
MARINERS WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT, CLOSE GAP WITH GROWLERS
MARINERS WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT, CLOSE GAP WITH GROWLERS

Sign up for the Mariners Newsletter!

Sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know about news and upcoming games!