December 9, 2009
For the second consecutive year, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and member school basketball teams throughout the state will participate in the military family fundraiser, Free Throws For Heroes. In addition, the 2010 season will also feature a second charitable initiative, Free Throws For The Fight, which will help Illinois cancer patients.
The Charity Stripe will once again sponsor the statewide events, with both Free Throws For Heroes and Free Throws For The Fight scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 20. On that day, IHSA boys and girls basketball team members are encouraged to shoot 50 free throws each to raise money for either or both causes. Participants will solicit pledges from their families and communities for each free throw made and the money raised will be passed on to help military families and/or those afflicted by cancer in Illinois.
“Finding ways to get students involved with worthy causes like Free Throws For Heroes and Free Throws For The Fight directly aligns with the IHSA’s mission, said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Beth Sauser. “The majority of the IHSA programs that were involved in Free Throws For Heroes a year ago were boy’s basketball teams, so we hope to see more girl’s teams get involved in 2010.”
Boys and girls of all grade levels are invited to participate in Free Throw for Heroes and Free Throws For The Fight, which are both initiatives developed by Northbrook-based not-for-profit charitable organization, The Charity Stripe. The Illinois Athletics Directors Association, Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association are all promoting the events among their membership.
“Our ongoing goal is to inspire and empower young people to step up to the line and use their skills to make free throws that matter the most to others in need,” said The Charity Stripe Executive Director Mitch Salzstein. “Giving back to others is the catalyst that drives our One Day, During One Practice as One Unified Illinois Basketball Community motto.”
In its inaugural season in 2009, 96 IHSA member high schools participated in Free Throws For Heroes, helping raise $82,170 dollars for Illinois military families in need. The Suburban Basketball Officials also donated their game checks for the evening, totaling an additional $825 dollars for the event. Funds are being used for rehabilitation equipment, handicap accessibility, mortgage/utility payments, job/career training, returning troop family reunions and more.
“Last year’s event far exceeded our expectations, but there are still so many Illinois families who really need our help,” added Salzstein. “We hope to have at least 500 Illinois schools participate this year and also encourage other Illinois basketball officials organizations to team up with us to help attain our 2010 goal of $250,000 dollars. I’ve had the distinct honor and privilege of talking to and meeting with many of the charitable recipients who were helped because of Free Throws For Heroes. They are so thankful and appreciative to all of those who have got involved.”
For more information on Free Throws For Heroes or Free Throws For The Fight or to sign-up as a school, team, individual or sponsor, please visit www.TheCharityStripe.net or contact The Charity Stripe Executive Director Mitch Salzstein at (847) 715-9433.