Grayslake, IL--Local basketball fans no longer need NCAA tickets to catch March Madness live, in action. On March 18 and 19, the 12 Oaks Foundation will host its annual three-on-three tournament, “Hoops for Hope,” at Grayslake North High School. Teams of four or more players, fourth-graders through adults, can sign up for open slots until March 12. All proceeds benefit 12 Oaks, a nonprofit charity dedicated to helping children stay active in their communities.
“We wanted to bring families together for a fun weekend, with a little spirited competition thrown in,” said Steve Hupp, who founded 12 Oaks along with his wife, Julie. Hupp says he hopes the tournament will create more awareness for the foundation and how it can help the community.
The Hupps established 12 Oaks Foundation in memory of their son, Matthew Hupp, who died of Burkitt’s Lymphoma in 2009 at age 13. Matt loved playing sports and developed many of his strengths through team participation, say his parents. After his death, they decided to create a charity to help give other kids similar opportunities. Using funds raised through events like Hoops for Hope, 12 Oaks provides grants for sports and other programs for children in families experiencing financial hardship related to ongoing cancer treatment within the family. The Foundation provided funds for 150 children in 2016, and over 350 children since 2010 with a goal of 80 children in 2017.
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“After seeing what the Hupps went through, I think we need to make every effort to give kids in those situations a sense of normalcy and stability,” says Michelle Ptasienski, the mom of five boys all active in sports. A family friend of the Hupps, Ptasienski is helping coordinate the many volunteers needed to host an event like Hoops for Hope. She says the community has responded enthusiastically, and team slots are rapidly filling up.
Organizers group participating teams into divisions by age and gender. All players will participate in a round-robin March 18 at Grayslake North High School, then advance to double elimination the next day. Mens 35 and under games will be held on Saturday.
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The entry fee of $35 through March 1, and $40 through March 12. Incentives include a 12 Oaks reversible mesh jersey. To register or for more details including volunteer opportunities, visit www.12oaksfoundation.org.
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A nationally-recognized nonprofit 501c(3) charity, 12 Oaks Foundation helps cover fees for sports and other extracurricular programs for children in families experiencing personal or financial hardships. At least half of all funds awarded go to help families coping with cancer. Partnering with community organizations, 12 Oaks assists grant-in-aid programs and is establishing college scholarships to aid students with exceptional academic and community service records. The charity was founded in 2010 by Steve and Julie Hupp in memory of their son, Matthew Hupp (1995—2009). For more information, visit www.12oaksfoundation.org or call (847) 543-7581.
