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St. Joseph School charity hoops event helps Children’s Hospital

The St. Joseph School gym in North Knoxville was packed with Christmas cheer and packed with fans eager to watch the annual charity Christmas basketball scrimmage Dec. 13.

The stands were filled with students, parents, and community friends who joined together to raise funds for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s Oncology and Hematology Unit.

Jashaun Stansberry of Team White at St. Joseph School holds the ball as Tommy Aalders of Team Red, which won the charity scrimmage 29-28, defends on the play. (Photo Kathy Rankin)

The cause is near and dear to many at St. Joseph School as they celebrate and support local children who are fighting cancer every day. A big goal was set by the school’s athletics department this year: to raise $5,000 for ETCH. The goal was met through the generosity of the Bulldog community at St. Joseph.

The scrimmage also recognized the growing basketball program at St. Joseph School. Girls and boys from both the elementary-school and middle-school teams joined forces this year. The squads were split into Team Red and Team White to compete in the scrimmage for school holiday bragging rights. Teachers and school alumni also joined in on the competition.

The scrimmage featured a shootout challenge, dance performances, a special student performance of the national anthem, an ugly-Christmas-sweater contest, homemade Christmas treats for sale, and more. When the final horn sounded in the scrimmage, Team Red had beaten Team White by a narrow score of 29-28.

To help cheer the students on to victory, the scrimmage featured many special guests including Sterling “Sterl the Pearl” Henton, the official DJ of University of Tennessee athletics; Smokey, the mascot of UT; Star Wars Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion; the Grinch; and Santa Claus.

Athletics director Lindsay Rakes and varsity boys basketball coach Sal DiGennaro presented a check to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and cause marketing specialist Zaineb Saied of ETCH to thunderous applause.

Second-grader Hattie Halter leads the national anthem before the charity basketball scrimmage. (Photo Kathy Rankin)

When asked what made the charity Christmas scrimmage so successful, Mr. DiGennaro stated, “St. Joseph School may be a smaller school, but it is blessed with families and students with big hearts who generously commit to helping those in need in our community, especially children who are fighting cancer.”

Ms. Saied added: “We treated over 1,200 patients for cancer and blood disorders at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in this last year. The fact that St. Joseph School believes in the work that we do and wants to be a part of making that exceptional care possible here in Knoxville means the world to us. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership, and we look forward to this event each year. Truly unlike any other!”

Comments 1

  1. Hi there!

    My name is Tori and I am the Social Media Specialist at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. I would love to highlight this fundraiser on our social media accounts. Do you mind sharing the photos from the event to our hospital’s WeTransfer page at http://www.etch.com/wetransfer

    Thank you so much,

    Tori Moreno

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