BRIDGEPORT – The Bulldogs of Bridgeport Exempted Village School District are proud of their basketball players and other students, staff and community who made the yearly March Madness free throw fundraiser a success beyond the organizers’ imaginations, raising $2,000 for the Upper Ohio Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Kimberly Harris, who teaches Algebra I, organized the fundraiser several years ago to both spread awareness of Alzheimer’s and to give students the opportunity to contribute to the cause through their skills on the basketball court. Each event has exceeded the one before, but the March 18 free throw was beyond expectations.
“Last year we raised about $850. This year we set a goal of $1,000 and the kids ended up raising $2,000. They doubled their goal this year,” Harris said.
About 20 students in all took part. Students gain pledges to donate based on how many shots the student can make in a minute. Other basketball players took up the challenge to make different types of shots.
Standouts included juniors Cole Weekley and Jaleel Vincent, each of whom raised more than $500.
“I was shocked, because Jaleel and Cole happened to go at the same time. They were each shooting on one of the hoops. I got Jaleel’s number and he was over $600, and I got Cole’s number, it was $500. Right there we knew that we had met the goal with just those two students so it was really awesome to watch the kids loving that,” Harris said. “They seemed to be extremely thrilled.”
Cole Weekley got pledges of $50 for every free throw, and a $30 straight donation. He got 10 shots for $530.
Jaleel Vincent made 24 regular shots and 14 three-point shots for a total of $668.
Harris said students in the audience were excited to see some of the top basketball players join in. Jaleel Vincent and senior Hanna Brewer both reached 1,000 points this year.
“They did not disappoint,” she said. “They’re making their names, but they’re also using that talent for a positive impact in our community.”
The underclassmen were no slouches either. Sophomore Addie Snodgrass got the most shots among the girls, with 12 in her minute, earning $21.
“It’s really awesome to see some of those younger students starting up to fill the shoes of our bigger ones,” Harris said.
Senior Kaylee Baxter made the most money among the girls, raising $127.60 with her 11 shots.
Other students tried half-court shots, and junior Evan Clark took on a dunk challenge and earned $40 with one shot.
Harris was also impressed at how they gained sponsors despite snow days limiting the students’ ability to get out and reach people.
“But our staff really showed the support for the kids. We had a lot of parents showing support. Grandparents are always pledging.”
She added the fundraising effort has also made students more aware of Alzheimer’s and motivated to help, as shown by the kids who took part.
“It was really nice to see some of the ones who normally wouldn’t participate. It was not all of our basketball players that were participating, it was a variety of students, and students that don’t necessarily play a sport that were taking part.”
Harris’ co-adviser, intervention specialist Amanda Ponsetti, praised the success.
“I’m very proud of our school.”
Evan Clark took on the challenge and looks forward to trying again next year.
“I was a little nervous at first because I thought I was going to miss it in front of a bunch of people. It would be embarrassing, but I came through. It was fun, and also for a good cause,” he said. He added the Bulldog community made fundraising the easy part. “The teachers support us very good. They gave us pledges. The teachers helped out a lot.”
Junior Coen Brinker said he raised close to $140. He said the fundraiser hits close to home.
“I’ve had people in my family that have had problems with Alzheimer’s. It’s not a good thing, and I want to do everything I can to change that,” he said. “I feel like I made all the shots I wanted to.”
Kaylee Baxter enjoyed the free throw.
“It’s fun to help people out that are in need, and just a fun thing to do,” she said. Family members and school staff were very generous. “The teachers like to get involved and donate.”
Bridgeport High School Principal Jack Fisher was among the staff who put down money on pledges for his students. He called the fundraiser an excellent learning opportunity.
“I’m very proud of them,” he said. “It’s great for the students in any way to get involved and get behind a cause.”
The Upper Ohio Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s is set for Sept. 27. Anyone wishing to donate can visit the Alzheimer’s Association web site at alz.org.
