Shoot Basketballs Not People
Tax deductible
Our names are Leavitt Horsey, Joshua Ballou, and Yuuki Melby-Griffin. We are middle school students at NCCL School in Newark, DE. We are doing a social service project for our school called The Big Give. Each student is given forty dollars and asked to make a difference with the money. Our goal is to do more than simply donate the money, but to try to make it grow, use it to purchase needed items, raise awareness, and to get others involved to help us.
For our Big Give project, we have decided to help Shoot Basketballs Not People (SBNP). SBNP provides an outlet for kids struggling through a violent environment by providing them with an opportunity to play sports. SBNP works to reduce violence and prevent youth from turning into tomorrow’s criminals. We are grateful for the fact that we have had the opportunity to compete in athletics in a safe environment. Unfortunately not everyone has that opportunity. In 2019 alone, there were 1,435 shootings and 351 of them were homicides.
Leavitt:
Ever since I was young, I have been involved in sports. I play basketball and I used to play football. Being involved in sports has been one of the most important things that have helped me in my life. I believe that everyone, no matter who they are, should have a chance to play. Whenever I’m feeling down or stressed I just pick up a ball and shoot around. Something just as simple as that can calm me down.
Joshua:
Both of my parents grew up in north Philly. My dad always tells me stories about how he grew up, and I always asked him where his friends are now. He would say most of his friends that he had growing up are dead. When I asked him what happened to them, he would respond, “Most of them were shot.” As a little kid I couldn’t believe it when he said it was normal for people to be shot every day in his neighborhood. I don’t want kids to grow up with the same “normal” that other kids had to fight through.
Yuuki:
I have been actively participating in sports since I was very young. It has been an immensely important part of my life growing up. I believe that no matter your background, everyone deserves access to a high level of sports. SBNP provides kids with that opportunity, but is also bigger than just sports. Shoot Basketballs Not People are fighting inequity on a day to day basis.
People are helped by Shoot Basketballs Not People every day. We are extremely enthusiastic to help this extraordinary organization. These inner city kids desperately need an outlet, and basketball provides the perfect opportunity. All of the gun violence inside Philadelphia is destroying kids lives and they need to be able to find a way to survive without it.
We are gathering basketballs and raising as much money as possible for Shoot Basketballs Not People. We are writing to ask if you would be willing to donate basketballs for our cause.
For our Big Give project, we have decided to help Shoot Basketballs Not People (SBNP). SBNP provides an outlet for kids struggling through a violent environment by providing them with an opportunity to play sports. SBNP works to reduce violence and prevent youth from turning into tomorrow’s criminals. We are grateful for the fact that we have had the opportunity to compete in athletics in a safe environment. Unfortunately not everyone has that opportunity. In 2019 alone, there were 1,435 shootings and 351 of them were homicides.
Leavitt:
Ever since I was young, I have been involved in sports. I play basketball and I used to play football. Being involved in sports has been one of the most important things that have helped me in my life. I believe that everyone, no matter who they are, should have a chance to play. Whenever I’m feeling down or stressed I just pick up a ball and shoot around. Something just as simple as that can calm me down.
Joshua:
Both of my parents grew up in north Philly. My dad always tells me stories about how he grew up, and I always asked him where his friends are now. He would say most of his friends that he had growing up are dead. When I asked him what happened to them, he would respond, “Most of them were shot.” As a little kid I couldn’t believe it when he said it was normal for people to be shot every day in his neighborhood. I don’t want kids to grow up with the same “normal” that other kids had to fight through.
Yuuki:
I have been actively participating in sports since I was very young. It has been an immensely important part of my life growing up. I believe that no matter your background, everyone deserves access to a high level of sports. SBNP provides kids with that opportunity, but is also bigger than just sports. Shoot Basketballs Not People are fighting inequity on a day to day basis.
People are helped by Shoot Basketballs Not People every day. We are extremely enthusiastic to help this extraordinary organization. These inner city kids desperately need an outlet, and basketball provides the perfect opportunity. All of the gun violence inside Philadelphia is destroying kids lives and they need to be able to find a way to survive without it.
We are gathering basketballs and raising as much money as possible for Shoot Basketballs Not People. We are writing to ask if you would be willing to donate basketballs for our cause.
Organizer
Joshua Ballou
Organizer
Newark, DE
Shoot Basketballs NOT People
Beneficiary