Cops vs. kids in fundraiser

By Wendy Giroux

A team of senior boys basketball players will face off against a team of police officers on Friday, March 11, in the annual Cops vs. Kids fundraiser.

Mercer Island police have held a game and raised funds for Special Olympics Washington every year since 1994, except for last year when they skipped the game. They have raised a total of $50,000, Sgt. Lance Davenport said.

The game will follow the Sonics vs. Chicago Bulls game, which starts at 7:30 p.m. at Key Arena. Officers are selling tickets to the game as a fundraiser, as well as taking donations.

``This is part of Law Enforcement Torch Run, which goes back some years -- an international charity for law enforcement,'' Davenport said.

The fundraiser used to literally be a torch run, but around 1994, national organizers decided to open it up so that individual groups could customize the fundraiser to their communities.

``With our tradition of basketball on the Island, we created Cops vs. Kids and were the first agency to do so,'' he said.

The ``Cops'' team is not practicing this year, so it's anyone's guess how the game will go. Wins and losses have been fairly even in the past.

``I think the kids have won a few more, but it's actually been a pretty competitive game,'' Davenport said.

Ticket prices are $24 and $46 for seats in the upper bowl, or $75 for seats in the lower bowl. Half of the $24 and $46 tickets will be donated to Special Olympics; $20 of the $75 tickets will be donated. To buy tickets, make a donation or find out more, contact Davenport by e-mail at lance.davenport@ci.mercer-island.wa.us or by phone at 236-3500.

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