Play some hoops at MCC Saturday and make a difference in a terminally ill child’s life

Imagine if someone told you that, by shooting hoops, you could make a difference in the lives of children with terminal illnesses. Well, you don’t have to imagine because Chris Schauer has made it a reality.

For the 15th year, Schauer has organized Basketball In The Park, an event that raises money to send children with terminal illnesses to Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, FL. There, along with their parents, they have a chance to enjoy life in a way that is hard to do when focused on the fight with their illness back home.

Basketball In The Park, this Saturday, July 26, in the gym at McHenry County College, is for ages 12 and up. The cost is $10 each and registration starts at 8:30 a.m. The basketball action starts at 9 a.m. and runs to noon before starting again at 1 p.m. and continuing to 4 p.m.

Activity includes 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 basketball games. There are also free-throw, 3-point, H.O.R.S.E. and Knockout contests. At the end of the day, trophies and medals are awarded. Players can come as a team or individually. If the latter, they can join a team when they arrive.

“This is the first year that Basketball In The Park isn’t in the park,” Schauer said. “But, by playing indoors, we don’t have to worry about rain days this year.”

Schauer, who was born with a hole in his heart and then suffered a stroke at the age of one-and-a-half, is the driving force that has raised $32,000 with the event over the course of the last 15 years. He became involved after his sister, Jackie, was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1997 – her senior year of high school. Unlike some of the children who go to Give Kids The World Village, she has recovered and is doing great.

Schauer said that, while the event serves a great cause, participants also have a great time. “It’s fun, it’s exercise and everyone enjoys themselves,” he said.”And it’s for a good cause.”