Members of Rapid City's fire and police departments are set to heat things up on the ice Wednesday, Dec. 17, in their 2nd annual charity broomball game at Roosevelt Park Ice Arena.

Broomball is similar to hockey except participants wear tennis shoes, use a ball instead of a puck, and use paddles shaped like brooms instead of hockey sticks. The goal, however, is the same: get the ball into the opponents' net.

"It should be a fun game," Rapid City Police Officer Christian Sigel said. "We'll be slipping on the ice and bruising our tailbones, but it's all-around good fun for the family."

The broomball game starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Organizers urge those attending to be at the arena around 5 p.m.

There is no admission fee. All donations will benefit Toys for Tots. The Red Cross will provide coffee and hot chocolate.

Last year's inaugural game raised money for the Make a Wish Foundation.

"We really like to do things that benefit the children of the community," said Calen Maningas, a firefighter/medic with the Rapid City fire department, who organized the event this year.

The Rapid City Rush hockey team is helping to draw attention to the broomball game. Discounted tickets are available to tonight's Rush game by bringing a toy donation to Fire Station 1 at 10 Main St. Teddy Bears also can be thrown on the ice each time the Rush score during tonight's game.

Fans paying a $1 for Toys for Tots can play in the Chuck-A-Puck contest, trying to land their puck in the target at center ice to win a prize.

The big highlight is a game of musical chairs between the police officers and firefighters. Officials say this event should be entertaining since the inflatable chairs pop easily.

The rivalry between the departments goes back years - so long, in fact, that no one can remember when it started.

"It's a friendly rivalry and winning the game is mainly for bragging rights," Sigel said. "Sometimes, there's a trophy involved, too."

Maningas said, "It's a healthy rivalry and builds a good working relationship; seeing each other outside of work makes working with each other better."

If you go

What: Rapid City firefighter-medics vs. police officers broomball game

When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, doors open at 5 p.m.

Where: Roosevelt Park Ice Arena, 235 Waterloo St.

Why: Benefit for Toys for Tots

Other Toys for Tots drop-off sites include:

- Boyds Westside, Eastside

- Family Thrift Centers, all locations

- Safeway, both locations

- Toys R Us

- Shopko

-First Western Banks

- Wal-Mart

-Black Hills Federal Credit Union

- Toyota

- Karl's TV & Appliance

-Security First Bank

- Flowers by LeRoy

Cost: Donations of cash or toys