Image On June 15, 2013 over 50 inner-city youths, representing their 500 teammates, will shoot "free throws" to raise money together with Rotarians, alumni players and celebrities for this year's Hoop-a-Thon at Strathcona Community Centre. Since 2006 the event has raised over $115,000 supporting inner-city youths at risk. This year's goal is $50,000. The Hoop-a-Thon is the major fund-raising event supporting the Strathcona Rotary Youth Development Program, which helps these kids by promoting teamwork, leadership skills, community involvement, education and respect for others.

The Hoop-a-Thon is held each year in June at Strathcona Community Centre located at 601 Keefer Street, Vancouver. Starting at 10 am, youths aged 10 to 18 will be joined by Rotarians, VIPs and others who have collected pledges from friends and busineses to shoot free throws earning money for the program. Last year's event raised over $35,000. Ron Suzuki, Recreation Programmer at the community centre, says "We have added teams from Rotary, local VIPs and celebrities, shooting for...our biggest goal ever (for) youth development programs, team uniforms, tournament fees, transportation and scholarships."

Suzuki adds, "The basketball program and funds raised help a diverse cross-section of families in the downtown east side of Vancouver including immigrants, First Nations, refugee and lower-income families who have limited opportunity to advance their children's recreation interests and education needs. We also look forward to providing scholarship opportunities to young adults in our community."

How can you help?

Support is needed from local businesses, groups and individuals. You can pledge a lump sum to the Hoop-a-Thon or make a donation based on successful free throws. "Youth basketball goes beyond the court," says Suzuki. "It makes all these youths feel...

 

 

...good about themselves and helps build friendships through teamwork. We work hard to also give young people a sense of pride in their community." More than 50 students have received scholarships to attend post-secondary colleges and universities, including Langara College, Capilano College, Simon Fraser University and The University of Northern BC.

"Our Rotary Club is grateful to see the impact the program has had in supporting and giving opportunity to participants of the Strathcona Basketball and Strathcona Youth Programs. This year's Hoop-a-Thon will be our biggest fund-raising event and we welcome new supporters to help us achieve our goal of $50,000," says Julie Mantle, President of The Rotary Club of Vancovuer Sunrise.

The Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise believes in service above self. There are over 1.2 milion Rotarians who make a difference in the world every day. Help us help the community!

For more information, go to www.strathconabasketball.ca/hoopathon or call Ron Suzuki at Strathcona Community Centre 604-713-1838.