Why I plan to spend December 2, 2006, shooting 1,000 free throws...

In the spring of 2004, I watched a video that showed these kids who had lost their parents to a disease called AIDs.  After watching the video, I realized these kids weren’t any different from me except that they were suffering.  I felt God calling me to do something to help them.  I decided to shoot free throws and on World AIDs day, 2004, I shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during my day at school.  People sponsored me and we were able to raise almost $3,000.  That year, the money was used by World Vision to provide hope to 8 orphan children.

 I wanted to do it again in 2005 but didn’t want to do it by myself.  So last year, over 1,000 people joined me in shooting “Hoops of Hope”.  It was absolutely amazing and we were able to raise enough money to give hope to over 100 orphan kids!  Just to know that there’s hope for these kids and to provide hope for them, that’s one of the best gifts in the world.  Now these kids know that God loves them and has a plan for their lives, all because my friends and I shot some free throws.  I think that’s the coolest thing in the world.  

This year, I hope you’ll join us.  We wanted to do something special this year and decided to build a school.  We’ve joined again with World Vision and will be helping to build the Johnathan Sim Memorial School in Zambia, in honor of a man who dedicated his life to working and caring for these kids.  The school will house over 400 children from an area hit hard by HIV/AIDs.   

 I hope you’ll join us.  It’s an awesome event that will leave an impact on not only the lives of these kids we’re helping, but on yours as well.

If you aren't able to shoot with us on December 2, 2006, but would still like to make a difference and help the children in Zambia, you can donate at the bottom of my page. 

Thank You!

– Austin

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me...whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."  Matthew 25:35-40                   

 

A little more about the event...

Along with thousands of other kids, I've made a commitment to shoot 1,000 free throws on Saturday, December 2, 2006 (the day after World AIDS Day) to help children who have been affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa.

Last year, Hoops of Hope participants raised over $30,000 to help children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. This year, we are coming together to help build a school in the community of Twachiyanda, Zambia. Zambia is a country that has been hit hard by the African AIDS crisis. Many kids in this community are forced to walk over 6 miles to get to school. This is just too far for 7 and 8 year old kids to walk and it keeps many of them from attending school, especially at the younger ages.

The Johnathan Sim Memorial School, named in honor of Johnathan Sim, a World Vision employee who passed away in 2005, will provide an education for 430 kids who range in age from 7 to 16 years old. This school will be built right in their community of Twachiyanda and will help provide a future filled with hope for children who really need it.

Let's never forget that, across the world, over 6,000 children every day are losing one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. The problem is huge but I'm doing something about it. Will you support me by making a tax-deductible donation on my web page? World Vision says that every gift will go toward building the school in Twachiyanda and donating through this web site is simple, fast and totally secure.

If we raise more money than we need to build this school (wouldn't that be something!), World Vision will put any extra funds toward helping other children in this community, or another community similarly impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Thanks for supporting me!