Celebrity basketball game to benefit organizations

YOUNGSTOWN — The Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley will sponsor The Game of Hope Classic, a celebrity benefit basketball game Jan. 26 in Beeghly Center at Youngstown State University.

The event benefits actor Paul Newman’s “Hole in the Wall Gang Camps” and a wide variety of organizations for chronically and terminally ill children in the Mahoning Valley.

The mission of the Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is the furtherance of charitable and financial support and volunteer services to and for chronically and/or terminally ill children on a local and regional level.

Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m. The game will include celebrities, dignitaries and media from the area and beyond. Donations are now being accepted online, by mail and by stopping at any Home Savings and Loan Bank and mentioning The Game of Hope account.

Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. Corporate sponsors for the event include television stations 27 First News and FOX 17/62, radio stations 95.9 KISS-FM & MIX 98.9, the North Eastern Ohio Education Association (NEOEA), GM-Lordstown Complex, UAW Local 1714 & 1112 from GM-Lordstown, YSU Student Government and Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.

The public can participate in the Nominate-A-Player Award by visiting The Game of Hope Classic Web site at www.thegameofhope.com to see who will be playing to vote for their favorite. All entries must be e-mailed by midnight Jan. 7.

Additional activities planned at the Game of Hope include the City Printing 10-pt shot, $5 for $50 half-court shot and visits by mascots Scrappy (Scrappers) and Crusher (SteelHounds).