3on3 Challenge Hosted by Greenwich Junior United Way (GJrUW)

People love to watch and play basketball, so why not play the sport for a good cause? Weeks of planning and discussions motivated Amanda Finn, Greenwich Junior United Way (GJrUW) Program Coordinator, and teens from local high schools to organize the successful GJrUW 3on3 Basketball Tournament Benefit. Teens worked closely with Ms. Finn on all aspects of planning for the event and selecting a local nonprofit, Building One Community, to receive the food collected during the event.

The sold-out tournament took place on November 16, at the Greenwich High School gymnasium. Family members and friends watched with excitement as 18 teams competed for the first-place prize of VIP Governors Ball Music Festival Tickets; donated by Jordan Wolowitz of Founders Entertainment.

GJrUW has developed a reputation of bringing teens together to help different nonprofit organizations through various projects and events in town. “It’s so important for the teens in the group to be in the trenches, doing the work—organizing, planning, communicating and networking—not only to develop their leadership skills, but to develop their character. They really stepped up with this tournament; everyone had a role to fulfill, and it was incredibly successful. I’m really proud to be part of the Greenwich Junior United Way. I’m proud of these kids,” said Amanda Finn, GJrUW Program Coordinator.

When the last whistle blew, three GHS students, Brian Ricks, Manny Cuellar and Jonathan Price, took the top prize. A total of 50-plus people played, and everyone had something positive to say. “It was fun to play with my friends, but it is also great that we collected food for people who need it,” said GJrUW member, John Breitfelder.

“We are so fortunate to have the kids of the GJrUW and Amanda Finn leading the group. GJrUW offers so much to our youth to prepare them for the real world,” said Greenwich United Way CEO David Rabin.

The Greenwich Junior United Way group is open to all teens attending High School in Greenwich, Connecticut. For more information about Greenwich Junior United Way activities and volunteer opportunities please visit Greenwich United Way online (greenwichunitedway.org) or email Program Coordinator, Amanda Finn (afinn@greenwichunitedway.org). #WeAreGreenwich #GJrUW

###

About Greenwich Junior United Way (GJrUW)

The Greenwich Jr United Way was created by local teens to enable them to get involved in identifying community needs and addressing those needs through community service and service learning projects while developing leadership skills. Led by and for young people under the guidance of adults, teens choose focus areas, develop their own ideas and make a measurable difference. All high school students in the Town of Greenwich are eligible to volunteer. For more information please contact Program Coordinator, Amanda Finn, (afinn@greenwichunitedway.org). #GJrUW

About Greenwich United Way

The Greenwich United Way (GUW) shares a name with approximately 1,200 other similar organizations across the nation, although the Greenwich, Connecticut division is a privately incorporated, locally governed, nonprofit agency. As a volunteer-driven organization, the Greenwich United Way exists to help identify and address the health, educational and self-sufficiency needs specific to its local community and to create and affect meaningful, lasting solutions. Through various fundraising efforts and on-going research, the organization is able to directly grant the funds necessary to accomplish this goal. The Greenwich United Way also invests in and conducts collaborative efforts to address broad-based community needs with partnering nonprofit agencies. Visit Greenwich United Way online to learn more (greenwichunitedway.org). Instagram @GreenwichUnitedWay Twitter @GreenwichUW #WeAreGreenwich

About Building One Community (B1C)

B1C helps immigrants become self-sufficient contributors to the community. As an organization solely dedicated to this underserved population, their mission of bringing passionate people together to help immigrants and their families to succeed in the community resonates among clients, donors and volunteers. They engage the community in their work and in ongoing dialogue about the benefits and challenges immigrants bring to our community. For more information visit: https://building1community.org