By Patrick Hayes

The Flint community is still mourning the loss of one of its greatest high school players ever, Jody Allen. Some community members are using his death as an opportunity to both help Allen’s family pay for funeral costs and raise awareness among youth about the out-of-control violence in the city. The ‘Dream Chaser’ charity basketball game will take place Thursday, July 19, at 7 p.m. in the Stewart Elementary Gym, 1950 Burr Blvd., in Flint UPDATE: The location has been changed to Flint Southwestern High School, according to the Flint Journal. Among the players expected to be attending are Kelvin Torbert, Marcus Skinner, Nate Brown, Jaquan Hart and Cory Hightower.

From the Flint Journal’s Eric Woodyard:

Smith is hoping to make this game an annual event to prevent others from becoming a tragedy like Allen. He was gunned down on Sunday afternoon outside a home on Odette Street near Mason Street, according to police.

Allen’s Flint Northwestern highlight basketball DVDs will be sold at the benefit game as well as R.I.P shirts paying homage to the 34-year-old. Concessions will also be available.

For anyone who won’t be able to make the event, Smith encourages donations made at  the Serenity Funeral Chapel at 2340 West Carpenter Road in Flint.