Number of Participants: 120
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $10,140
Event Amount Raised: $4,000
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Sport: Boys Basketball
School: Newfield High School
Date: December 7, 2024
Location:
Newfield High School
Marshall Drive, Selden
NY
About:
Coach Andrew Gallo conceived the idea for Hoops for Hope during his wife’s third day of chemotherapy treatment. He was inspired to give back to the community that had shown immense generosity during such a challenging time. Choosing Positively Pink as the event sponsor was a meaningful decision, as its founder, Maria McMullen, is a close friend of his wife and a former Middle Country teacher.
All proceeds from the event were donated to Positively Pink, an organization dedicated to providing women about to undergo chemotherapy or mastectomy surgery with supportive care baskets valued at over $700 each, free of charge.
The event was a collective effort. Players and coaches from both sides of the district – Centerreach and Newfield sold basketball pledges for one dollar, honoring those in their families or communities affected by breast cancer. These pledges were proudly displayed on the gym walls during the game for everyone to see. Additionally, players sold pledges during the school day, engaging faculty and students in the initiative.
Coach Gallo’s vision, combined with the dedication of the Newfield Boys Basketball team and the Middle Country community, turned Hoops for Hope into more than just a fundraiser—it became a heartfelt tribute to those impacted by breast cancer and a powerful testament to the strength of unity.
