Harlem Wizards to Dazzle Bellingham Again October 21st
By J.D. O’Gara
On Friday, October 21, at 7 p.m., the Bellingham Education Foundation will embark once again on what they hope will be their biggest fundraiser of the year, presenting the world-famous Harlem Wizards vs. Bellingham Public School faculty in an action-packed, interactive community basketball game fun for all ages.
“This is our third time hosting the Harlem Wizards. They came in 2018 and 2019,” says Bellingham Education Foundation President Kristina Mounsey. The event is open to everyone, not just families of students in the school system, and general admission tickets are $18.
The Wizards will play a game against a team of Bellingham Public School teachers, principals, and community leaders. Players for the local team of about 20 volunteer their time and their basketball prowess for a good-spirited match against the professional hoop players.
On top of the hoop artistry, ball-handling, tricks, and teamwork of the Harlem Wizards is an interactive experience for kids who attend. The Wizards engage kids all night long, encouraging audience members to volunteer in different contests and acts. Pre-game, any child or teen with a Wizards jersey can warm-up with the Wizards. Pregame festivities include contests, comedy, awesome slam dunks, audience participation, merchandise giveaways and more. The end of night final moments include an invitation to all students to come onto the court for a dance celebration with the Wizards.
The experience at a Wizards game is the community, the school coming together for a night of good, pure fun and excitement and it’s a fundraiser.
BEF’s first Harlem Wizards event sold over 600 tickets, proving to be a popular and successful fundraiser for the organization, whose mission it is to enhance the curriculum at Bellingham Public Schools.
“We are thrilled to host the Wizards again,” says Kristina Mounsey, BEF President. “When the Wizards came to Bellingham in 2018 and 2019, it was a lot of fun, and the games were huge successes! After a long few years, I think we could all use some fun and we look forward to more Wizards’ magic! This is, hopefully, going to be our biggest fundraiser of the year!”
The home team players will be thrilled to play in front of family, friends, and fans, and spectators will delight in seeing their beloved teachers, principals, and community leaders run the court. Come out and cheer - you will not want to miss this fantastic experience that will benefit our most precious resource: The kids!
The Bellingham Education Foundation is dedicated to enriching and enhancing educational opportunities for students in the Bellingham Public School System. The foundation, through partnerships with parents, businesses, and the greater community, offers funding through grants to Bellingham educators for innovative and sustainable projects, motivating students to be lifelong learners. The BEF has awarded over $250,000 in grants to the Bellingham school district since its inception in 2011. According to Mounsey, recent grants supported Robotics Club at Bellingham High and Middle School, flexible seating at multiple schools, social emotional learning, science lab equipment,3D printing and Makerspace funding.
“We go beyond,” says Mounsey, “supplementing the school budget, which is always getting cut lower and lower, it seems. We’re enhancing what is there with innovative projects, technology projects, new equipment, supplies, and activities that are just not covered in the budget. It’s a little bit of everything.”
Founded in 1962, the Harlem Wizards have played over 15,000 games throughout the US that have raised over $25 million for schools and charitable causes. The Wizards have also played in over 25 foreign countries on six continents.
To purchase tickets to the game, and for more information, visit www.harlemwizards.com. For more information on the Bellingham Education Foundation, visit Belledfound.org or follow them on Facebook.
