Continuing in the spirit of hope for seriously ill children and to be a part of Country Cares for St. Jude, the stations of the Zimmer Radio Group will host a celebrity benefit basketball game.

"Hoop-It-Up for St. Jude Kids" will get under way when the doors open at 6 p.m. Friday at the A.C. Brase Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. A coin toss at 7 p.m. will make way for a little friendly competition between two patriotic teams, the Stars and Stripes. Tickets are available for a $2 donation at semo.net, located at center court in Westfield Shoppingtown, Philipp's Carpet and Decorating in Jackson, the radio studio at 324 Broadway or at the door of the arena building.

Leading the cheering section will be Hannah McClellan, a recent St. Jude patient; Faune Riggin, talk show host from KZIM radio and Amy Jacquin from KFVS-TV.

Rob Huff, magician and Cape Girardeau school district business manager, will be part of the halftime festivities. There will also be a half-court basketball shot, giving participants a chance to win a Kia Spectra from Auffenberg.

The Country Cares initiative with St. Jude began in 1989 when Alabama lead singer Randy Owens met Danny Thomas. After this meeting, Owen challenged the country music industry to get involved in efforts to raise awareness for the children at St. Jude.

Annually, St. Jude helps radio stations across the nation prepare for radio-thons by hosting the Country Cares for St. Jude seminar. Those attending from Cape Girardeau were Marietta Obergoenner and Dawn Leible, Zimmer radio account executives.

The event is open to the public and all proceeds will help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to continue its life saving, hope-giving efforts.