The fifth annual HOOPS for a Day event was held on Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Salvation Army London Village, which also serves as the headquarters of the event’s organizers, the London Chapter of Autism Ontario. The event helps raise awareness and funds to help support individuals with autism and their families.
Each year, volunteer basketball players from around the London area collect pledges and commit to play 4-on-4 basketball for the entire day (switching out for a break when they get tired). Autism Ontario staff members also collect pledges. To promote inclusion of Autism Ontario’s members, kids and adults alike who attend are free to attend and play basketball for however long they please.
Nick Slade, who founded HOOPS for a Day and still runs the event, said he felt this year’s installment was “very successful,” despite some rainfall. “The rain wasn’t really an issue,” he said. “It feels good for the players.”
Slade, who is also a member of the London Chapter Leadership Council (CLC) of Autism Ontario, said this year’s fundraising amount surpassed the $26,334 raised last year, and it will also include $20,000 in matching donations from sponsor C.H. Robinson.
The proceeds will help meet the needs of Autism Ontario members who either have autism themselves or are raising a child with autism. One such parent is Trisha Zanin, whose six-year-old son was recently diagnosed with high functioning autism.
“When you have autism, you don’t look physically different, so people just assume [your child] is misbehaving,” Zanin said, explaining one of the challenges faced by parents of children with autism.
That’s why Zanin is thankful for events like HOOPS for a Day, which is not only a fun and family-oriented event, but also helps support a valuable community organization.
— Story and photo by Dylan Burch
