Hoops for Hope raises money for special needs camps

Families and friends gathered for a basketball game, cheer clinic and a great cause on March 20 for the Hoops for Hope fundraiser for Adam’s Camp, a nonoprofit that offers weeklong, intensive-therapy summer camps for children and young adults with disabilities.

Organizers say the event raised more than $ 50,000.

“It’s a great experience for (everyone) to see, because they see individuals with developmental disabilities out there playing basketball,” said Sarah Hartley, director of communications and development for Adam’s Camp. “It starts conversations about how we can be different but the same. I think those moments are really spectacular.”

Hosted by Adam’s Camp and Partners in Pediatrics, the event was held at the Gold Crown Field House in Lakewood. Gold Crown donated the facility for the event, which included some notable stars like former Denver Bronco Tom Nalen and former NBA player Bill Hanzlik.

“The game itself is a blast,” Hartley said. “It’s so cool to see professional athletes out on the court with our campers.”

Devin McEntee, an autistic eighth-grader of Greenwood Village who has attended Adam’s Camps for the past 10 years, enjoyed the experience. He started playing basketball this season and was a high-scorer during the game.

“I want to play for the New York Knicks,” he said. Carmelo Anthony, a forward for the Knicks, is an inspiration for him.

Peak Athletics in Highlands Ranch, which runs a cheer and dance program for those with special needs, ran the cheer clinic and halftime cheer show.

Highlands Ranch resident Jenna Zecchino, 21, has been cheering with Peak Athletics for more than 15 years. Her mother, Julie Zecchino, is a founder and owner of the organization. Jenna’s favorite part of cheer is the facial choreography, which cues the team to have the same expression, to smile or look surprised, for example, throughout the routines.

The basketball game ended in a tie, 95-95, with no overtime –; making all participants, from players to cheerleaders, winners.

Adam’s Camp is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Hoops for Hope is one of the organization’s biggest annual fundraisers. The camp covers half of the cost to attend camp, a fee of between $ 1,700 to $ 5,100.

“We do fundraising all year to cover that other half,” Hartley said. “This helps to get those kids and their families up to camp.”

Adam’s Camp has helped more than 12,000 people. Started inColorado in 1986,it has opened three new locations in Alaska, New Hampshire and Nantucket, Massachusetts. Three more locations are in the works, including Northern Ireland.

The entire family is invited to the camps so that a network of support can be created.

“Adam’s Camp is very much about family,” Hartley said. “We don’t just serve the kids with disabilities, we serve the whole family.”

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