Number of Participants: 22
Hours Donated: 15
Value of Time Served: $2,789
Event Amount Raised: $2,500
Event Type: Civic & Community
Sport: Girls Basketball
School: Oswego High School
Date: January 16, 2020
Location:
2 Buccaneer Blvd
Oswego, NY 13126
USA
About:
OSWEGO — Knocking down free throws in a basketball game is often a key to victory.
On Saturday, the Oswego JV and varsity girls basketball teams used their skills from the charity stripe to not only raise funds for the program, but to provide support for families in need during the holiday season through a community event at David Powers Gymnasium at Leighton Elementary School.
“That’s what we’re trying to do with these kids — playing basketball and getting them involved in the community,” Oswego varsity coach Joe Babcock said.
Each player started out by receiving a sheet to ask for donations. The players can shoot 100 free throws and get a donation based on shots made. Other than the free-throw option, players can also request a flat donation.
Johnna Scanlon, mother of varsity girls basketball player Francesca Scanlon, coordinates the funds.
“She goes to different churches, schools, and gives out tickets,” Babcock said. “She looks at how much we get then sees how many families we can help.”
The Buccaneer girls basketball programs have been holding the charitable event for over 10 years. Parts of the proceeds go to the program’s funds, and the rest to buy Christmas gifts for families.
Last year, the players raised around $2,500, and most of it went to the 16 families they supported. This season, the Bucs once again raised the same amount of money enough to support a similar number of families.
The teams go out and shop for the gifts. The players wrap up the gifts and give them to children or parents looking to give them out as a surprise.
“To me, it’s a big deal,” Babcock said. “It’s great that we’re doing this.”
Babcock mentioned how he plans to use some of the money raised to partially cover charges for a basketball clinic over the summer.
“It’d mainly be for kids that can’t afford travel basketball,” he said. “It’ll be a two- to three-day clinic and we’ll introduce them to basketball.”
We got $50 gift cards from Aldis for families. We bought toys and cloths for 16 kids. We spent a day shooting free throws for the fundraising then we spent around 5 hours shopping Wrapping and we delivered the presents to homes.