Over Thanksgiving break, the boys basketball program hosted their first ever 24-hour basketball fundraiser at Lakeshore Middle School. According to varsity boys coach and physical education teacher Greg Immink, the event went really well. They raised money for the basketball funds like uniforms and travelling costs, but charity was also in the minds of the coordinators.

“It was a great turnout from the community and we expect to see more next year,” Immink said. “The more successful it becomes the more we’ll be able to donate.”

Expressed through a team vote, the players decided on where the money raised should go. Before the boys varsity basketball game on Jan. 26, the players and coach presented United Way with a check worth $2,500. With the donation, United Way is supporting the community’s mental health campaign.

“We hope that (the donations) help prevent the mental health issues going on like suicide and things that have been talked about more in the district lately,” Immink said. “We realize it’s a big issue and we’re doing our part to help solve that issue.”