A fundraiser next Saturday will raise money to fight a disease for which there’s no cure––not right now, anyway.
Funds from the Hoop-a-Thon and Chili Cook-off will go towards research to find a cure for Huntington’s Disease, according to organizer Jessie Barr of Richmondville, who put together a similar fundraiser last year.
Besides free-throw shooting and chili at the November 6 fundraiser, there will be activities for kids, raffles, free food, games and more.
The benefit will be at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School from 1pm to 4pm.
“We want it to be fun,” Ms. Barr said, “and we want to raise awareness about Huntington’s Disease.”
The disease is an inherited brain disorder resulting in a loss of mental and physical control. It affects the ability to think, speak and walk and ultimately results in death.
There is no cure, though research is considered “more promising,” according to HD literature.
Ms. Barr has a family stake in this. Her grandfather died of Huntington’s, and her mother has it. According to statistics, there’s a 50-50 chance that Ms. Barr has the HD gene.
“We not the types to sit around and worry,” Ms. Barr said. “We’re more proactive. My sisters and I decided to do something, so we’re raising money and awareness.”
The fundraiser has a minimum donation of $5 for kids and $10 for adults, with a family rate of $30.
The donation gets participants into the Hoop-a-Thon competition, and shooters can also secure pledges.
The Hoop-a-Thon is open to all ages, and shooters will be divided into four age groups. Participants shoot for five minutes, making as many shots as possible. C-R Varsity Club members will serve as rebounders to help out.
The age-group winners will each receive $25 gift certificates to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Participants in the Chili Cook-off should bring their chili in a crockpot. There will be $50 winners in each category: best meat chili, best vegetarian, best overall and people’s choice.
There will also be a bounce house, raffles, face-painting, video games, nachos, cookies and other refreshments.
There’s also a big payoff for the fundraiser who brings in the most money: A $200 VISA card.
All funds will go to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.
“This is about getting the word out,” Ms. Barr said. “Most people have never heard of Huntington’s Disease.”
For more information, call Ms. Barr at 294-6524.
Participants for the Hoop-a-Thon and Chili Cook-off can register on line at upstatenyhoopathon.com.