SouthernCare Inc. will host a three-on-three basketball tournament on June 9 to raise proceeds for Nightingales Harvest, a nonprofit organization that provides food and hygiene items for families affected by cancer. SouthernCare, Inc. is the Toledo-area affiliate of the national corporation that provides hospice services to those with cancer.

Corey Stewart, whose mother works for SouthernCare and whose grandmother has been diagnosed with cancer, designed, organized and promoted the event, which is scheduled to begin at noon at Tam-O-Shanter in Sylvania. Stewart said his passion for the game and dedication to cancer awareness fueled the idea.

“I love basketball and I’m passionate about it,” Stewart said. “Sports are a big part of the community so I thought, why not put two and two together? Everyone can have a good time and talk about [hospice].”

Representatives from SouthernCare Inc. and Nightingales Harvest will be present to provide information on hospice, Stewart said.

“The main goal is to make people aware of hospice, that’s why we’re hooping,” Stewart said. “People know about cancer but they don’t know about what hospice truly is. Some people hear hospice and think death and that’s not true.”

Stewart’s goal is to have 20 teams compete in the inaugural event, which would raise $2,000 for the food bank, which was launched in April 2011, according to the website, nightingalesharvest.org. All ages of both genders were invited to register for the “fun and competitive” tournament before the June 3 deadline, Stewart said.

In addition to the actual tournament, the day’s festivities will include a DJ, 50/50 raffle, food and prizes.

“There is something for the whole family, something fun and safe to come to. It’s just a good environment,” Stewart said.

For more information about the event, visit hoopingfortoledohospice.org.

Tags: Corey Stewart, Morgan Delp, Nightingales Harvest, SouthernCare Inc., three-on-three basketball tournament

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 9th, 2012 at 11:03 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Charity, Fundraiser, Philanthropy.
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