The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Hoops for Hearts returns to J. L. Crowe on Thursday, with the leadership class looking to mobilize all the troops for the big event.
Last year, Terry Jones’ leadership class organized the largest basketball event ever to hit the hard court in the Silver City, and the group of students is hoping to make it even bigger and better this year.
“Our goal is 100 per cent participation and raising $8,000,” said Jones in an email. “We raised $4,500 last year so we hope this is an achievable goal.”
The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Hoops for Hearts is a 3-on-3 in-school fundraising basketball program. In its first incarnation, over 400 students and teachers signed up as players and volunteers, with a participant entry fee of $10 going to the Foundation.
The Foundation enlists schools and students to organize the tournament and raise funds for the charity.
Organizers have set their sights high this year, and are counting on all of the 800 student population at Crowe to sign up and help raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Teams are split into the Grade 8, 9, and 10’s, and 11 and 12’s, and further bracketed into competitive, recreational, and mixed categories. Like the NCAA basketball tournament, each bracket comes down to exciting final four match-ups.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners, and for best team name, best uniform, most money raised, and the longest shot decided in a shooting competition.
See CROWE, Page 10
An energetic group of student and teacher volunteers will referee games, keep score and help out with the barbecue and refreshments.
Organizers encourage the community to come out, watch some of the action, and donate generously to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to help them reach their goal, says Jones.
“Our goal and mission statement is to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, to raise awareness for heart disease, to raise funds, and to have a really fun cultural activity here at school.”