The Harlem Wizards packed the house again last night at Riverhead High School, where students, families, teachers and staff came together to enjoy the madcap antics on the court during a charity basketball game against the Riverhead Central Faculty Association.
The teachers “came up short on the court again this year” against the Wizards, event organizer and Riverhead High School physics teacher Gregory Wallace said, “but the kids are the ones who are the real winners.”
The event raises money for the RCFA scholarship fund.
The event, which has sold out for three years running, drew 1,100 people to the high school for an energetic and funny show.
“This has turned out to be such a nice community event,” Wallace said. He thanked the numerous sponsors in the community who helped defray the costs of the event. “Their support contributes to the bottom line in terms of what we raise for the kids,” Wallace said.
The annual game has been a successful fundraiser that raised over $35,000 for the scholarship fund in its first two years, according to See coverage of 2014 and 2013 events ad 2015 events. Its success has allowed the RCFA to expand its scholarship program, increasing scholarship amounts as well as providing scholarships for children in need to attend the East End Arts Renaissance summer camp.
A 50-50 raffle last night also raised about $1,000 to benefit former RHS students Riley Butler and Juliana Lamberty. Butler and Lamberty, both 21, are fighting uphill medical battles. Butler is battling pineoblastoma, a form of brain cancer. (See prior story here.) Lamberty, a former RHS track star, suffers from bilateral hip dysplasia and excessive femoral anteversion – a condition undiagnosed until recently which limits her to using crutches or a wheelchair.
“It’s nice to support them and help them out as they’re going through these tough times,” Wallace said. “Overall it was a great night,” Wallace said.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella
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