By Timithie NORMAN

Representatives of the Glendale Fire Department and Glendale Police Department will face each other in the Salvation Army’s Hoops Heroes charity basketball game at 3 p.m. on April 1 at the Glendale High School gymnasium.

Now in its second year, the event is a fundraiser for local Salvation Army after-school programs including the Zone Academy homework help program in south Glendale. According to event chairman Rick Dinger, the program is important for Glendale youth.

“It’s a place to get homework help, tutoring and just hang out,” Dinger said. “It gives kids a safe place to go.”

The game was the brainchild of Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, who was looking for a way for his department to raise money for Salvation Army programs. Tickets to the Hoops Heroes game are $5 per person plus a canned food item, the profit from which will go to the Salvation Army.

“Hopefully we can keep this tradition going and eventually fill up all the bleachers,” said Scoggins in a prepared statement. “Also, people are asked to bring canned food to help fill the Salvation Army food pantry. Any way that we can help with these programs is good.”

Last year’s event raised approximately $2,000 for the Salvation Army. The goal this year is $6,000, which will be raised through a combination of ticket and refreshment sales, raffle tickets, an auction, and event sponsorships. Several local businesses are helping to sponsor the event including MetLife Insurance, Crescenta Valley Insurance, Shiners, Foothill Athletic Club and J’s Maintenance.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Dinger said. “We will have a raffle for Lakers tickets, and our auction item is a VIP package to see Jimmy Kimmel.”

A 10-minute pre-game between members of the Glendale Sunrise Rotary and the Glendale Noon Kiwanis will precede the main event. At halftime of the main game, a shootout contest will give four lucky participants the opportunity to win $2,500 cash and a $2,500 donation to the Salvation Army.

Tickets to this high-energy event are available on the Salvation Army website at www.glendalecorps.org or at the door.

  Timithie NORMAN