KELSEY NEWA ’14 | Staff Writer

During Tuesday’s Special Olympics basketball game, not only baskets will be scored, but an unforgettable experience.

“It’s a friendly, pick-up fundraiser just to have fun,” said special needs instructor Dori Martinuzzi. “It supports a great cause.”

The charity basketball game will take place Tuesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. in the main gym.

The event was put together by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). The group usually contributes to the Special Olympics state fund, but wanted to do some charity closer to home.

“This year, (the FOP) wanted to support the local area, which is wonderful because the entire Special Olympics program is based on donations,” said special needs instructor Betty Lou Rowe.

Four students involved in the Speical Olympics program in Grosse Pointe will be attending and participating in Tuesday’s big game.

The FOP is bringing in a sufficient number of people to form a team, but they are not the only guest stars making an appearance, Rowe said.

Former and current Detroit Lions football players will be accompanying the athletes throughout the entire event.

The FOP reported that although the main purpose of the event is to raise money for special needs children, there tends to be some competition.

“When Chris Beck, our local Special Olympics coordinator, spoke with the FOP, they indicated that it’s pretty competitive between the two groups (the FOP and the Lions),” said Rowe. “Chris emphasized that our athletes may be a little intimidated by that, but he thinks they’ll be fine.”

R&B/jazz artist and Grosse Pointe resident Anita Baker will sing the national anthem and the check displaying money raised will be presented at halftime.

Event coordinators hope to see a large crowd of peers attending the event Tuesday.

The program is guaranteed a set amount of money regardless of how many people attend, but Rowe says she really hopes it is packed. Rowe also hopes peers will make signs to support their fellow classmates.

Rather than harsh competition, Tuesday’s charity basketball game aims to raise as much money as possible for special needs children in the area.

“We’re hoping (for a big crowd),” said Rowe. “We posted it all over the community and every employee in the district received a flyer. Our peers here at South have gotten flyers to get the word out so we’re hoping we’ll have a lot of support from the community. The whole program is based on fundraising and donations so raising money is huge for us.”