Dunk and Donate Tournament a Slam Dunk!
By Allison Rowe
Henry Street’s first Dunk and Donate basketball tournament was a slam dunk! Eight teams hit the court to support youth programs at Henry Street, competing for a trophy (and bragging rights).
KGM Consulting won the tournament after defeating Allen & Overy in a fierce championship game that went down to the wire; the Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow team won the Fan Favorite social media contest.
Teams from UPS, KGM Consulting, First Manhattan Consulting Group Direct, Howie Boys, and SLS Capital (led by Scott Swid, president of Henry Street’s Board of Directors) also competed in the tournament, held on Sunday at the Boys & Girls Republic (BGR). Sponsors of the event also included American Express, Forest City Ratner, and Basketball City.
A three-point shot competition was held halfway through the tournament – participants anted up $100 each for 5 chances to shoot from the three point line. The $800 pot was to be split between Henry Street and the winning shooter. With three out of five shots sunk after a play-off, Brian Betts from SLS Capital won the competition, and donated his winnings back to Henry Street.
Executive Director David Garza expressed his gratitude to the event sponsors and participants on behalf of Henry Street. “Our Boys & Girls Republic opens doors for youth in this neighborhood to level the playing field for them. Thanks to you, the funds raised today will swing those doors wide open,” he said. “Some 90 percent of the families in this neighborhood live below the poverty line, and in the past 18 months, three young people lost their lives to homicide. BGR is needed now more than ever.”
Family and friends of the teams, along with youth from BGR and Henry Street staff watched the games, enjoyed a catered lunch from Katz’s Deli and spent time in BGR’s art room, playroom and computer lab.
