Harlem Globetrotters bring their hoop high jinks to N.H.

A Harlem Globetrotter low-dribbles the ball during a recent exhibition game. (Courtesy photo)

MANCHESTER, N.H. - The American Red Cross has joined forces with the Harlem Globetrotters as its official charity partner and will be presenting the spectacular and comedic basketball-playing troupe on Friday, March 31, at the Southern New Hampshire University Arena.

Known globally as the Ambassadors of Goodwill, the Harlem Globetrotters' Great Assist initiative, which was launched in October 2015, promises to spread 100 million smiles over the next decade through sportsmanship and service.

As part of a two-year partnership, the Red Cross will engage the Harlem Globetrotters nationally and locally in all aspects of its mission. During the first year, the team will join the Red Cross, along with local fire departments and other community partners, as the organization works to install its one millionth smoke alarm by October 2017 to help Americans stay safer from home fires. The Red Cross has already installed more than 4,000 throughout New Hampshire and Vermont.

"It's a pleasure to join forces with the Harlem Globetrotters in Manchester through our disaster response efforts and much more," said Maria Devlin, CEO for the American Red Cross in New Hampshire and Vermont. "The fun and interactive way the team engages with the community will help to build greater awareness around our mission and the critical need to help people at risk for and impacted by disasters every day."

In FY2016, the Red Cross in New Hampshire and Vermont was called upon to support families across our two states, in response to a devastating year for more than 1,200 people forced from their homes by home fires and floods. In fact, the Red Cross in New Hampshire and Vermont responds to a disaster, on average, every 17 hours.

"This partnership brings two great American organizations together in order to achieve a common goal --to help people in need and to put smiles on people's faces," said Howard Smith, President of the Harlem Globetrotters. "We look forward to helping the Red Cross achieve their goals by incorporating their messaging into everything we do on and off the court."

For more info go to: http://www.redcross.org/news/event/local/new-hampshire-vermont/Harlem-Globetrotters.