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Unity Celebrity hoops game raises $14K

More than $14,000 is ready to be distributed to successful community group applicants compliments of the Unity Celebrity Basketball Game
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A player from Team Lefty gets big air just before slamming a big dunk at the Unity Celebrity Basketball Game in Port Alberni on Oct. 4. More than 1

More than $14,000 is ready to be distributed to successful community group applicants compliments of the Unity Celebrity Basketball Game.

Applications can be picked up at the Jericho Road Church on Tebo Avenue or on the church’s website: alberni.jerichoroad-church.com.

“The applications are only open to clubs and groups that serve children and youth. But it’s not open to individuals to apply for,” Jericho youth pastor Harold “Lefty” Williams said.

Applications are to be filled out by Nov. 30 and funds will be distributed on Dec, 31, Williams said.

A special board is helping steer the grant process, he added.

Other churches are welcome to apply, “But they need to demonstrate a community benefit that goes beyond religious reasons,” Williams said.

The pot will be re-tabulated after finals costs are in to replace one of the backboards, which was broken during the warm-up, he said.

Several groups helped pull the event off, but Jericho church was a mainstay. The church sold more than 500 tickets to the event and provided $5,000 cash plus in-kind contributions for it.

But the church won’t be making an application of its own. “We want to be transparent and accountable with the community,” Williams said. “We’re going to ensure the funds are going to go where we said they would go.”

The event was held on Oct. 4 and featured a team of professional athletes and entertainers against a team of Port Alberni all stars.

Actors Paige Hurd and Sam Sarpon and pro football player Frank Murphy were just some who participated.

reporter@albernivalleynews.com

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