Introduction
Basketball fans – do we ever have a the event for you. This fundraiser for Autism Research and Resources of Oregon will give you a chance to have a blast learning from the best, and helping the community all at once.
Date :
4/18/2012 (Wednesday)
Time :
6:00 PM
Location :
Concordia University GymnasiumNE 27th and Highland, Portland
Cost :
Suggested Donation : $5
Registration :
skylerkamaka@yahoo.com or at the gym.
Speakers :
Skyler Kamaka (photo courtesy of Paull Hayashi)
Skyler Kamaka, born and raised in Kaneohe Hawaii, is currently a senior at Concordia University on course to graduate on May 5th (2012) with a BS in Exercise and Sport Science and a minor in Coaching. An avid, and highly regarded, volleyball player, Miss Kamaka reached the Junior Olympics 6 consecutive years, and went on to play for Concordia University. In addition to 3 years as captain of the Cavaliers, she has multiple academic and athletic awards to her credit, and is an Assistant Coach at NW Reign Volleyball Club, on top of acting as president of the Hawaii Club and the founder of the annual luau. Skyler is currently Miss Diamond Head 2012 and will be running for Miss Hawaii on June 9th on the platform of “Athletes Promoting Inclusion (API): for individuals with disabilities.” We’re thrilled that Skyler has carved time out of her busy schedule to create the “Hoops for Autism” fundraiser for Autism Research and Resources of Oregon.
Guest of Honor: John Jackson; a Harlem Globe Trotter (2004 to 2005), a University of Mississippi “Bulldog” and “National Junior College Athletic Association All-American” while playing for Butler County Community College. John Jackson has had a career in Basketball that has taken him around the world, including Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuala, Poland and Australia. In 2009, Jackson joined the staff of the Concordia University Cavaliers in Portland, Oregon, and (beginning in 2011) also returned to running basketball camps for kids at ShapeNW. On April 18th, 2012, he will be lending his extensive professional talents to the Autism Community as he helps raise money for Autism Research and Resources of Oregon.
Details
Do you like basketball?
.Do you LOVE basketball?
..Have you always yearned to meet someone who is 6’8 inches tall?
…Are you ready to learn advanced shooting skills from local college and professional athletes?
….Would you like to MEET a Harlem Globe Trotter?
If you said YES to any (or all) of the above, then bring $5 and your favorite jersey to Concordia University’s Gym on Wednesday, April 18th and meet John Jackson. You’ll get all that AND pizza!
Oh, and, did we mention – wear your favorite jersey!
For those who missed last night’s Hoops for Autism fundraiser for @ARROAutism:twitter you missed an event that I can only describe as one of the top 5 most enjoyable fundraisers I have ever attended. The numbers were small, which lent itself to a great ratio of assistants to attendees.
Without a doubt, my favorite part of the evening was watching a young man try all night long to sink a basket. A recent immigrant from Vietnam, standing all of 5 feet tall, there he was, at the free throw line, surrounded by a half dozen volunteers. The call was going out to put the balls away- it was a “now or never moment.” The volunteers were chanting – “go, go, go…” He bounced the ball once; then a second time. He raised the ball, then lowered it. All at once, with an underhand throw, the ball left his hands and rose … higher than the basket … framed squarely on the backboard … and bounced with a satisfying, rimless, swoosh down through the net. His audience roared with cheers and applause, and HE bounced, over and over again, with an enormous smile on his face. He couldn’t have been happier, and neither could we. He truly won the night.
For all their great efforts making such a fantastic evening possible, I’d like to thank Skyler Kamaka, John Jackson, Donilee McGinnis, all the volunteer assistants, and Concordia University. It was a genuinely great evening.