The Selma Fire Department defeated the Selma Police Department 63-59 in a charity basketball game Saturday at Meadowview Christian, but local children ended up being the biggest winner.

The two departments played Saturday in a tight game that concluded like most of the recent games in this “rivalry” seem to do — with the fire department on top. More importantly, with around $200 in donations and around $300 in toys being donated to Toys for Tots, the game achieved its purpose of helping area kids.

“It was a lot of fun,” Det. Dorothy Cowan of the Selma Police Department said. “We were on the floor joking around. As far as the attendance, it wasn’t full but it was pretty good. We got a pretty good amount of toys.”

Cowan, director of the Selma Police Athletic League, said the toys will be handed out to area children at a party Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. at the Selma PAL Center.

“We are having a party for the community and not just the PAL students,” Cowan said. “We are going to have Santa’s helpers and the elves out giving out toys. All of the toys we have we are going to give out to the kids in the community that come out.”

Cowan said considering other events that were going on in Selma Saturday, she was happy with the turnout. She said compared to last year, they probably received more toys this year.

She said people like to see the two departments participate in charity games like the one Saturday.

“They want to see us, law enforcement officers and people in authority, out there doing something to give back to the community to show we care about the community,” Cowan said.

The PAL Center will continue to take toys until Thursday. Toys can be turned in at the Selma Police Department or the PAL center.

As far as the game was concerned, Cowan said the Selma Fire Department has a “really good team” but she hopes next year the police department can end their losing streak.