Hoop Don't Shoot: Save Our Youth
After a concerning spike in violent crime and gang activity over the last 18 months in Danville, VA, a local resident - Angienette (Angie) Dixon - decided to start a weekly basketball tournament called Hoop Don't Shoot: Save Our Youth.
Angie started this all on her own, in the hopes of giving local kids a place to play, be kids, and have fun twice a week in a safe environment. Games are played on Tuesdays and Thursdays in a local park, which is adjacent to a police station. After just a few weeks, the number of kids turning out is growing - about 25 players are now assigned to teams after starting with only 6.
Local law enforcement officers are looking to get involved with the program, showing up to play with and speak to the kids as part of a renewed focus on community policing in Danville. Other community members have been pitching in to help, and Angie is looking for men in the area to serve as mentors.
When things are going poorly in our communities, we can sit around and bemoan the sad state of affairs, or we can be like Angie Dixon and go do something about it.
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So, then, let's do something about it. Let's help Angie keep this program going for 10 weeks, which would take it through the end of summer. Here is an itemized budget for the project:
*Bottled water: $7/day (2 cases) x 2 days/week x 10 weeks = $140
*Gatorade: $30/day (2 cases) x 2 days/week x 10 weeks = $600
*Pizza (8-10 pizzas, Tuesdays): $60 x 1 day/week x 10 weeks = $600
*Snacks (chips + cookies, Thursdays): $21 x 1 day/week x 10 weeks = $210
*Prizes (gift cards, toys, sports equipment, etc., given out Thursdays; prizes will be awarded to team winners, as well as to those kids displaying good sportsmanship and hustle; winning IS important, but so are sportsmanship and effort): $50 x 1 day/week x 10 weeks = $500
*Shirts (about 20 uniform t-shirts were already purchased, but a few kids are still without them): 6 shirts @ $10/shirt (estimate) = $60
*Shorts (no uniform shorts have been purchased as of this writing): 30 pairs @ $11.66/pair (estimate) = $350
*Folding tables (for sign-in sheet, displaying prizes, serving pizza, etc.): 2 tables @ $50/each = $100
*Banner (with Hoop Don't Shoot logo, court rules): $100 (estimate)
****Banner generously donated by local business owner: -$100****
*Miscellaneous (plates, napkins, trash bags, hand sanitizer, unexpected expenses, etc.; there is also a cushion here in case some of the budget estimates are low, and itemized expenses run higher than expected): $350
Total: $2,910.00
**ALL money raised will directly support Hoop Don't Shoot in the ways detailed above.**
**Project organizers and mentors will not be paid - they will work on a strictly volunteer basis.**
Please consider donating to Hoop Don't Shoot: Save Our Youth. Any amount you are able to give - even $5 - will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
