District 25 Crosstown Showdown helps fund suicide prevention

More than 2,000 thousand people are expected to pack the Rolling Meadows High School gymnasium Friday, April 8, for a suicide prevention fundraising basketball game between the staffs of South and Thomas middle schools in Arlington Heights Elementary District 25.

"This is the 11th year of the showdown," said Dana Hackett, one of the original organizers and a South teacher. "It's a great way for our middle school rivalry to come together for an exciting night of fundraising."

Over the years, the showdown has raised more than $50,000 for different organizations, including Make-A-Wish, Kids Fight Cancer and the American Cancer Society. This year, all proceeds will go to LOSS: Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide, which provides counseling and guidance to families and friends of people who have taken their own lives.

LOSS has helped local families like the Baumgartners, who in 2007 lost Megan, 18, to suicide. LOSS helped the family grieve and understand what happened.

"LOSS has been a huge help," said Alan Baumgartner, Megan's father. "As parents of a child that took her life, we had a lot of issues to deal with. At LOSS, we met with other parents of children who had taken their own life, and it is a very open and safe environment."

The Crosstown Showdown will raise funds through a 50/50 raffle, concessions and a ticket raffle for items like gift cards, gift baskets and a big-screen TV. Anyone in the crowd can shoot free throws for $1 in between quarters for a chance to win a T-shirt.

"This event caught us completely by surprise," said Alan Baumgartner said, an Arlington Heights police officer. "We are so proud that School District 25 has chosen to remember Megan and to use this as a way to generate awareness for suicide and promote LOSS. It's a wonderful thing."

Earlier this year, each student body attended a special assembly that raised student and parent awareness about the seriousness of mental health, consequences of bullying and suicide prevention.

"This event speaks to the community and how there is less of an interest in the competition and more of an interest in care for an Arlington Heights companion," Thomas Principal Brian Kaye said. Tickets are $5. Doors open at 6 p.m. Friday, April 8, at the high school, 2901 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.