‘D.A.R.E.’ to play

Culpeper’s annual D.A.R.E. basketball game is coming up on March 13 and for the eighth consecutive year the county’s law enforcement agencies will team up to take on employees of Culpeper’s schools.

The event, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Culpeper County High School gym, is a fundraiser for the county’s D.A.R.E. program, which educates school children about the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence.

Officers from the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office, the town police and the state police will play against teachers, coaches and other employees of public and private schools in Culpeper.

“We’ve gotten good turnout on both our teams,” Sheriff’s Corporal Shannon Carter, one of the event organizers said. “We’ve been busy raising money for D.A.R.E.”

Tickets for the game are $5 for adults and $2 for children. In addition to ticket prices the event also raises money through concessions, raffles and door prizes — this year a Nintendo Wii is up for grabs.

“Last year almost everyone left with something and the community has been really generous in donating prizes this year,” Carter said. “We’ve had really good success with donations from the community, which is somewhat surprising considering events in the economy.”

This year’s game also includes a traveling trophy for the winning team and appearances by D.A.R.E the Lion and the Chick-fil-A mascot.

High School basketball coach and St. Luke’s athletic director James Thompson has played in the game the past few years and likes doing what he can to help the program.

“It’s a good thing,” Thompson said. “The community looks like it supports it and the D.A.R.E. program is very important for the younger kids. As far as educating the students, it’s very good.”

Want to watch?

What: D.A.R.E basketball fundraiser

Who: Law enforcement vs employees of Culpeper’s public and private schools

When: Friday, March 13
at 6:30 p.m.

Where: CCHS gym

Tickets: Adults $5,
children $2