CWU Police to Participate in Benefit Basketball Game

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The inaugural Kittitas County "Cops vs. Firefighters" charity basketball game, with proceeds benefiting Ellensburg's ASPEN (Abuse, Support and Prevention Education Now), has been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Ellensburg High School gym.

Initiated in Ellensburg 15 years ago, through Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health, the non-profit ASPEN program has helped thousands of area residents, including Central Washington University students, with a variety of free and confidential services, such as a 24-hour help line, counseling, emergency housing, legal and medical help, support groups, prevention education and basic information and referrals to anyone that has been a victim of violence or sexual abuse.

The local Fraternal Order of Police lodge as well as the local firefighters came up with the idea to have an annual basketball game to support a local charity or not-for-profit organization.

CWU police Chief Steve Rittereiser and campus officers Jason Berthon-Koch and Eric Twaites will be among those on the "cops" team.

"I don't have a list of the firefighters -- they're keeping the roster hidden from us," Berthon-Koch says, with a laugh.

The tickets are by donation at the door. A halftime show is also planned with games and prize giveaways. In addition, the CWU residence hall with the most students in attendance will win a prize, according to Berthon-Koch

For more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-2980, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.

Contact: Jason Berthon-Koch (509-963-2980 or 509-929-3353/e-mail: kochj@cwu.edu)

Public Relations and Marketing: (509) 963-1943