The Moose Jaw Thunder basketball club continues to give back to the community.
The Thunder will hold their second annual Hoops for Hunger event this Saturday at Riverview Collegiate.
“We started this last year,” explained coach Curt Lorge. “It is a fundraiser for Hunger in Moose Jaw. Last year we raised about $3,000. Our basketball club includes Grades 6 to 9 girls and this event is self-organized — they are in charge of all the fundraising and organizing.”
The team has certainly been busy preparing.
“The kids have been collecting pledges; they were up at Superstore doing a one-day fundraiser and some of the girls have organized bake sales at their schools. All of the money we collect from pledges goes to Hunger in Moose Jaw.”
Hoops for Hunger is part of the club’s overall mission.
“Part of the thought process for our club is to get the kids involved in the community. We promote more than just being good basketball players — we are working on being good people, too,” said Lorge. “So, on Mother’s Day the girls took a couple hours off from their own Mother’s Day to deliver flowers to Extendicare. We have been doing that for about five years now. These young ladies are pretty cool; they want to give back and so we try to find things for them to do. It is a really good deal for these kids.”
The team will play basketball from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“We aren’t playing a continuous game because that would be crazy, but we are in the gym for 12 hours.”
Other local teams will also participate. Additionally, the day will include shooting contests and a game pitting the kids against their parents. Lorge adds that any Thunder alumnae who want to participate are encouraged to do so.
The event is open to the public. Donations are gladly accepted.
