Hoops for Hope raising more money to help families at Jefferson R-7
(Festus) An annual fundraiser will continue this year and once again accompany some Jefferson County high school basketball.
For the 7th straight year, Hoops for Hope will come to Jefferson R-7 High School in Festus to raise money for scholarships and charity work in the fight against cancer during a night of Blue Jay basketball.
Bill Hammock is one of the organizers for Hoops for Hope.
He says the idea for the event comes out of his own personal loss.
Each year, Hoops for Hope collects money which goes towards a $500 scholarship for one male and female senior student at Jefferson High School in memory of Ly Ly Koenig, a former student who passed away from cancer.
A family of a person fighting cancer is also honored each year and receives a portion of the donated money.
Even despite the pandemic, Hammock says Jefferson has rallied to help out the family of Lisa Smith.
Hoops for Hope will also donate portions of their proceeds to Brendan’s Backpacks.
Due to COVID-19, there will be restrictions on the number of people who can be at the games.
But Hammock says they will still have great raffle items to give away that people can find before the basketball.
A signed jersey from St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Tommy Edman and gift baskets from the Pasta House and House Bar & Grill in Festus are just some of the prizes waiting for people who purchase raffle tickets.
You can buy tickets now on the Hoops for Hope Facebook page, or you can visit the Jefferson High School Performing Arts Center lobby Friday evening from 4:30 to 7 to bid on the raffle baskets.
People can also reach out to Bill & Andrea Hammock and Lisa Lewis for more information, or you can send Andrea Hammock a donation by mail care of Jefferson R-7 High School.
KJFF will have coverage of both the boys’ and girls’ games as the Herculaneum Blackcats face the Jefferson Blue Jays Friday night as part of Hoops for Hope.
Coverage starts at 5:45 on AM 1400.
You can hear the full interview with Bill Hammock by clicking play below.
You can also hear an interview with some of Lisa Smith’s family by clicking play below.
