Kids from Prospect, Saratoga, and Williamsbridge all came together for the 6th Annual Schweid & Sons B-Ball and Burgers tournament.
With temperatures cooling down and rain clearing from the initial forecast, the day was perfect for all of the scheduled outdoor activities.
Hosted by KidCare—a charitable, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to simply “Let Kids be Kids” regardless of adverse conditions their families may face—the event included basketball drills and games, giveaways, and a BBQ for the whole family.
Schweid & Sons sponsored the tournament, providing burgers for the BBQ and reversible New York Knicks jerseys for all of the kids.
Jon Dorfman, one of KidCare’s founders, said that this year’s tournament saw a larger overall turnout than years past. He also noted that more participants who were older in age came to the event.
As a result, there was a more diverse range in intensity when it came to playing the game. Where the younger kids worked on the fundamentals of dribbling and passing, the older groups were able to run intricate, team-focused drills with ease.
With four groups of younger kids on one court and two groups of older kids, everyone had their own space to practice with their coaches for the day, volunteers and HFH staff members who generously donated their time and expertise to instruct.
Jamie Schweid, President and CEO of Schweid & Sons, was not only a staple sponsor of the event, but also an instrumental source of wisdom and support for the participants when it came to playing basketball.
“My experience is based on the level of happiness each kid exudes that day,” Schweid said. “That is why I love committing time and resources to such a wonderful cause.”
Rachel Braver echoed Schweid’s sentiment. Having volunteered at the event for the past four years, Braver looks forward to the camaraderie and competition the event provides, as well as the kids’ resilient nature.
For her, the kids’ willingness to bond with volunteers was a major highlight.
“[B-Ball and Burgers] is the perfect combination of teaching skills, physical activity, quality time, fun, and great food,” Braver said.
In addition to B-Ball and Burgers, KidCare sponsors other sports-oriented activities for HFH, ranging from tee-ball and baseball to soccer and flag football teams. They also provide the support that make various educational initiatives possible, such as Mad Science workshops, magic shows, and bi-annual job hops, to name a few.
The partnership between KidCare and HFH began in 2009 when the organization started.
“We wanted to find a children’s organization that we liked and trusted to work with,” Dorfman said. In the nine years that have followed, KidCare’s partnership with HFH has only flourished.
Tierra Gunther, Partnerships Associate at HFH, sees B-Ball and Burgers as an opportunity that allows staff members and volunteers to engage with the kids in an active environment.
“A lot of our volunteers come back to the event year after year,” Gunther said. “The kids really appreciate that extra guidance [from them].”
After a fun-filled day of basketball, the kids can take away lessons of teamwork, determination, and strength, applying them in the classroom, on the court, or anywhere in between.
“Children are the future leaders of this country,” Schweid said. “It’s our responsibility to provide them with the resources and belief to achieve whatever they want in life.”
Sponsorships and volunteers are the foundation for so many of our programs. To learn more about how you can get involved, click here.
