Hoops of Hope helps Sudanese
May 24, 2011
By Christopher Huber
Zach Butz, a sixth-grader at Pine Lake Middle School, does lay-ups during the Hoops of Hope event May 20. Photo by Christopher Huber
As a child, Arok Garang lost his family to rebel attacks in Sudan. He survived war in Sudan and Ethiopia and got a second chance at life when the United States provided refuge as one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan.”
In return, he’s used that sense of blessing and responsibility to benefit fellow Sudanese students.
Garang visited Sammamish May 20 to partner with Missio Lux and Pine Lake Middle School to put on Hoops Of Hope, an annual fundraiser event that benefits his organization, Seeds of Hope. The organization raised thousands of dollars to send fellow orphaned Sudanese children to school in Kenya and Uganda.
For about four hours, community participants shot free throws and lay-ups and enjoyed performances from local basketball celebrities Jordan McCabe (Beaver Lake Middle School) and Swen Nater (leading NBA rebounder, 1980).
“I enjoy seeing people come together,” said Garang.
Music blared in the Pine Lake gym as participants shot as many hoops as they could for the cause. Some garnered donations based on how many free throws they pledged to shoot. Some simply collected donations for Seeds of Hope, said organizers.
McCabe and the 6-foot-11-inch Nater entertained the crowd with a game of horse and a contest to see who could make the most free throws in 1 minute. After tying with 17 each, McCabe won the second round, making 23 free throws to Nater’s 16.
While this year’s event saw much lower turnout than in 2010 — some blamed the overdue good weather — organizers closed the evening with a new sense of hope for the 2012 fundraiser. Sixth-grade basketball phenom McCabe and his family expressed interest in continuing their outreach with Hoops of Hope, said Tamara Buchan, an event organizer and lead pastor at Missio Lux.
“That’s pretty huge. That’ll keep us connected in the basketball realm,” she said. “Everybody wants to do it again next year. This was a transitional year.”
Learn more about the Seeds of Hope project at www.missiolux.org.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242.
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