A Good Cause

This is the best part about H.S. Sports ... giving back to the community!

On March 17, the Madison Junior School Student Council will be hosting a basketball shootout to benefit the Little Rock Foundation in honor of the many New Jersey children who are afflicted with visual impairment. This year the Madison Jr. School will be raising funds in honor of those children by helping the Little Rock Foundation raise funds to improve the lives of children who are visually challenged in New Jersey.

"Our goal is to raise $5000 at the shootout this year," Student Council President Michael Lami said. "We really hope as many people make time to stop by on March 17 between the hours of 9-2 to help us reach our goal. Even though the event takes place on a Saturday in which everyone has sports practice and other events, this event only takes 5 minutes to participate in and making time for doing something for others is always a priority "The Shootout is a fundraiser where kids and adults take a registration form and have people sponsor them to shoot baskets. The sponsors can be family, friends, organizations, or anyone who will give a pledge to our charity. The shooter then comes on the day of the shootout and has five minutes to make as many free throws as they can. For example, if the sponsor has pledged $.25 per shot and the shooter makes 40 shots in 5 minutes, then the sponsor will donate $.25 x 40, which equals $10.00 to our charity. Sponsors can also pledge a set amount regardless of how many free throws are made.

Who can participate in the shootout? Everyone! Students, parents, friends, and relatives are all welcome to attend and take part in the event. In only 5 minutes, a shooter can raise anywhere from 15.00 to 100.00! There are prizes and trophies for different age groups as well as special events, such as a half-court shot contest. There is no limit to the age of a shooter so bring your cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, etc. Our goal is to have over 90% of MJS participate and as many members of our community participate, so come on out! Even if you are not a good shooter, come out, have a good time and help raise money for a great cause.

What is the Little Rock Foundation do?
The Little Rock Foundation provides a connection for families of visually impaired or blind children to support services, technology advancements, educational opportunities, role models, national conventions, mobility specialists, Braille equipment, and toys. Blind children, when given a chance, can play and learn with their sighted peers. An open mind, a positive attitude, lots of support and a little creativity is usually all it takes to integrate a blind child into the visual world. The Little Rock Foundation wants to help families of these children bring that world to their child, touch a tree, pet a dog, smell a flower, label sounds or more simply help your child understand the complexities of life.In the past ten years, hospitals across America have seen a 300% increase in the number of children born visually impaired. This rise large increase has resulted in roughly 10 millions visually impaired Americans. In a national study by the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) conducted in April of 2006, 70% of adults who are visually impaired are unemployed. It is our hope that with the money we raise that the Little Rock Foundation can provide the job training, and proper education to give the visually impaired children of New Jersey a brighter future.

Please email Student Council Advisor Stephen Finkelstein for more information or to receive sponsor forms at finkelsteins@madisonpublicschools.org.