CINCINNATI (October 27, 2009)—UGIVE and the Ohio High School Athletic Association Foundation are teaming up again to help Ohio schools make a difference in their communities through the Basketball Service Week, which will take place from November 19 – December 5, 2009.

High school basketball teams across Ohio will encourage their fellow students to volunteer in their communities during this time, and the team that achieves the highest percentage of school participation will be recognized at a Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball game and meet with NBA all-star Shaquille O’Neal.  

The OHSAA Foundation Service Week ties together the leadership of student-athletes and the service needed in communities across the state. Participating basketball teams not only have a chance to meet Shaq, but also have an opportunity to take part in a Foundation Gamem which allows teams to use one of their allotted scrimmages to play a regulation game under all normal game conditions, including charging admittance. Students participate in community service projects and their Foundation Game supports their efforts, while providing a platform to highlight their service activities.

Basketball teams are able to create their own school service projects or sign up for opportunities on UGIVE.ORG.  UGIVE and the OHSAA Foundation are challenging teams to become leaders in their school and in their community in order to make a difference.  It is up to them to recruit students from their school in order to win the meet and greet with Shaq. 

The Lakeview Lady Bulldogs, winners of the 2009 Volleyball Service Week, were awarded for their three-fold service event, “Rally for the Valley,” with an appearance at the AVP Tournament in Mason, Ohio and a one-on-one meet and greet with Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh.       

The first Basketball Service Week in 2008 was a great success, with over 250 schools participating in 136 events across the state, generating nearly $250,000.  Of this tremendous amount, over $177,000 went to charitable organizations and causes across the state, with the remaining amount going back to the schools in the form of scholarships and leadership conferences.  UGIVE and the OHSAA Foundation are working toward making this year an even greater success.  

UGIVE is a non-profit organization on a mission to catalyze, excite and empower the next generation of volunteers.  We make philanthropy relevant to students, guiding them to give their time and talents to build communities. Our goal is to create life-long givers. UGIVE is 100% free for students, schools and charities.  To learn more, visit www.UGIVE.org.

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