Number of Participants: 24
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $2,028
Event Type: Civic & Community
Sport: Girls Basketball
Date: January 31, 2025
Location:
Norwood High School
Nichols Street, Norwood
MA
About:
Each year, the Norwood High School girls basketball team comes together to host a very special event: the Helping Hands Game. This annual tradition is more than just a basketball game; it’s an opportunity for the team to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families within the Norwood community.
As part of this initiative, the team sells raffle tickets and $1 Helping Hands, which are displayed as decorations in the gym, creating a visual representation of the collective support from the community. The funds raised during the event are distributed to one or two local families chosen by the team’s parent committee. These families are often facing significant challenges, such as life-threatening illnesses, and the team aims to provide them with some much-needed relief.
Over the years, the Helping Hands Game has allowed the Norwood High School girls basketball team to make a real impact. For instance, last year, the proceeds were donated to Annie’s Closet. This local donation center was created in memory of a beloved Norwood graduate and former basketball star who passed away at just 39 years old. Today, her legacy continues to inspire the team—and her niece, who is part of the team, is a constant reminder of the strength and unity that this event fosters.
While the team is still finalizing this year’s recipient, one thing remains certain: every dollar raised will go directly to the chosen family or families, allowing them to decide how best to use the funds. This transparency and direct impact make the Helping Hands Game uniquely special. Unlike donating to larger organizations where the outcomes can sometimes feel distant, this initiative ensures that 100% of the contributions directly support neighbors in need.
For the Norwood High School girls basketball team and the community, the Helping Hands Game is about more than just raising money. It’s about showing compassion, creating hope, and sharing the belief that even small acts of kindness can lighten someone’s burdens. While they may not be able to solve every problem, the team takes pride in doing what they can to make life’s challenges a little less heavy—even if only temporarily.
The team looks forward to announcing this year’s recipient soon and invites everyone to join in this incredible effort. Together, they can make a difference, one Helping Hand at a time.