Hoops for Hope is an event run by Michael and Katherine O'Hanlon, conceived of four years ago their older brother, Tim, and features the Garden City High School/Middle School Challenger Basketball team. The goal of Hoops for Hope is to help bring attention and fans to the Challenger athletes, and the Challenger program in general.
The event incorporates the entire community: the basketball team, cheerleaders, kick line, high school musicians and various student clubs. Sponsors from all over Garden City (and beyond) support the event, and on game day, there are many volunteers from both the high school and the middle school (a great opportunity for community service hours) assisting with raffles, the bake sale, music, photography, buddies of the Challenger players, and more. Students from the primary schools through the high school attend the event, as do many community members who no longer have children in the schools.
Hoops for Hope has become a big success: the most important part of the event is having the gym full of spectators of every age to watch and cheer for the players and knowing that the Challenger players and their families are excited and proud to be the highlight of the day.
Hoops for Hope is also a charitable event: the proceeds will support I'm Not Done Yet's programs for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors at NYU Langone-LI and around Long Island!