Number of Participants: 22
Hours Donated: 5
Value of Time Served: $3,827
Event Type: Children & Youth
Activity: Boys Basketball
School: Columbia High School
Date: February 11, 2026
Location:
Columbia High School
Luther Road, East Greenbush
NY
About:
The Columbia Boys Basketball program recently demonstrated the powerful role athletics can play in promoting inclusion and community awareness by partnering with Bring on the Spectrum to host a special “Inclusion Needs You!” Awareness Game.
The event focused on celebrating acceptance, understanding, and support for individuals on the autism spectrum, while encouraging the school community to come together around an important message of inclusion. By using their platform on game night, Columbia student-athletes helped shine a spotlight on the importance of creating welcoming environments where everyone feels valued and supported.
Through this meaningful collaboration, players, coaches, and supporters worked to raise awareness and foster conversations about inclusion both on and off the court. The awareness game served as a reminder that sports can be a unifying force — bringing people together to promote empathy, respect, and community connection.
Initiatives like this highlight how student-athletes can lead by example, using teamwork and leadership to make a positive impact beyond competition. Columbia Boys Basketball continues to show that when athletics and advocacy come together, they can help build stronger, more inclusive communities.
