On Saturday, March 4, the DuPont-Steilacoom subchapter of the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), in partnership with LeMay Pierce County Refuse and the CalPortland Company, is proud to present the second annual Hoops 4 Heroes to benefit the DuPont-Steilacoom AUSA subchapter.

The brainchild of Baron Coleman, who modeled it after his successful Teachers vs. Cops basketball fundraiser, Hoops 4 Heroes will pit soldiers from the 6th Criminal Investigation Division, the 62nd Medical Brigade, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), and the Army National Guard against first responders from DuPont, Steilacoom, Lakewood, Fircrest and West Pierce Fire District, in an epic basketball battle for bragging rights and a good cause.

Along with the units supported by AUSA, Hoops 4 Heroes will specifically benefit the DuPont-Steilacoom chapter's Single Soldiers program, which, according to DuPont-Steilacoom Community liaison Karen Getchell, "supports all single soldiers returning to JBLM from deployment. When each soldier returns to (his or her) empty barracks, (he or she will) find a gift basket from the AUSA DuPont-Steilacoom subchapter. The basket contains necessities to get them through until (the soldier's) belongings are secured from storage, as well as goodies and gift certificates. Our mission with the DuPont-Steilacoom AUSA subchapter is that no soldier will return home here through the back door ever again."

Admission to the game, which begins at noon in the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom gymnasium, is by donation. There will also be ticketed drawings for prizes featuring approximately 40 items including basketballs, wine baskets, Seahawks memorabilia - even a large screen TV. The concession stand, hosted by Pierce College, will benefit the college's athletics department, and DuPont's own Forrey's Forza will be on hand with a mobile espresso stand to keep everyone sufficiently caffeinated.

"This will be a game you won't want to miss," Getchell said. "If you're on the fence about coming ... Definitely do!"

Last year's game was a real nail-biter, she said.

"The first responders were up by seventeen points, but the Army came back for a win in the final seconds ... I can tell you that the first responders do not intend to go away losers two years in a row. They've already started practicing and will come in ready to win. There will also be a halftime show that may or may not include some dinosaurs and possibly some commanders. Hillary Butler, a former Seattle Seahawk, Lakes High School and University of Washington alum, will be present to (award) the Seahawk's items."

This promises to be an afternoon of excitement and entertainment for a good cause, so mark your calendars for Saturday, March 4, and get ready to cheer on some real heroes, on and off the courts.

Hoops 4 Heroes, noon, Saturday, March 4, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Dr. SW, Lakewood, donations accepted at the door, ausalewischapter.com