SIBSPlace Annual Basketball Tournament Brings Community Together to Support Families Impacted by Cancer

SIBSPlace, in partnership with Molloy University, successfully hosted its annual Hoops for Hope basketball tournament this past Saturday, December 6, bringing together local high school athletes and community members for a day of competitive basketball and charitable giving. The tournament featured four men's high school varsity basketball games, with all proceeds benefiting SIBSPlace's mission to provide preventative mental health and therapy services for children with siblings or family members battling cancer or life-threatening illnesses and families coping with a loved one’s death.

SIBSPlace is a vital community resource providing free support groups, individual counseling, and therapeutic programs to help children cope with the emotional challenges of having a sibling or family member facing cancer or serious illness and families grieving the loss of a sibling or parent. Over its 25-year history, the organization has served more than a thousand participants from across Long Island. The Hoops for Hope tournament has been instrumental in spreading awareness of SIBSPlace's mission for over 20 years, connecting the organization with community members, local schools, and families who may benefit from its services while raising essential funds to sustain its programs.

"The dedication of Coach Bill Dubin and our local Nassau County high schools over the years has been instrumental in advancing our mission through community events that raise both awareness and critical funding for families facing unimaginable challenges," said Joanna Formont, LMHC, Executive Director of SIBSPlace. "The generosity and compassion these young athletes demonstrate will directly impact the lives of children and families we serve across Long Island, including some of their own peers and neighbors."

Local high school teams delivered exciting performances throughout the day, with matchups between Oceanside and Bethpage, Malverne versus East Rockaway, Valley Stream Central against Seaford and Sewanhaka against Hempstead.

Participating in this year's tournament were Valley Stream Central twin brothers and former SIBSPlace program participants, Jaiya and Julian Vera, 11th grade students. The Vera brothers have taken a leadership role in promoting the game and raising awareness for SIBSPlace, demonstrating the lasting impact of the organization's programs.

The games were sponsored by The Peninsula Kiwanis Club, the original and longest continual sponsor of the event, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to supporting families in need. Between games, the Peninsula Kiwanis presented a $2,000 check to SIBSPlace, further supporting the organization's vital mission.
Hoops for Hope has established itself as a cornerstone fundraising event for SIBSPlace, consistently raising more than $15,000 annually for the nonprofit organization. The money raised supports SIBSPlace programs that are essential in providing care to children and families throughout Long Island.
For more information about SIBSPlace, or to make a donation, please visit, https://sibsplace.org/.