Members of the Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary are stepping out of their comfort zone for a good cause.
Dubbed, ‘Hoops for the Hospital,’ the group formed a basketball team, ‘Hospital Hoopsters’ that will raise money for the Peace Arch Hospital.
“This is a bit odd,” said Kathy Mcintyre. “I’m from the Kay Hogg Goodwill Group of the hospital auxiliary. We’re not young. We decided that we will shoot hoops… as a fundraising activity.”
The team has enlisted MLA Gordon Hogg as their coach. They met at Hogg’s house to practise.
“To give you an example, we went to our first get-together. He called it a practice, but we didn’t. He said, ‘everybody run and do a layup.’ We said, ‘no, no Gordon. There’s no running, there’s no jumping, there’s just shooting.”
Apparently, Hogg wasn’t shy with his opinion on the team.
“He said we were dreadful, so that’s not a good sign, is it?” Mcintyre said.
“We’re hoping to get lots of sponsorships and we have a wonderful friend who is going to match all of the donations.”
The auxiliary plans to raise $350,000 this year.
“It’s a lot of baskets.”
To pledge support, email KHGW@yahoo.com or call Kathy at 604-671-5457.
The team will be at Semiahmoo Secondary March 9, Earl Marriott Secondary March 10 and Southridge School March 13.
The schools have been “incredibly receptive” to the idea, and are putting together teams to challenge the seniors.
Team members are Gordon Hogg, Stan Carter, Dianne Thompson, John Block, Kathy McIntyre, Lynn Turner, Jane Jamieson, Laverne Hogg, Alicia Hagerman, Joanne Taylor, Rose Block, Maureen Annable and Joan Dewinetz.
Mcintyre had one more remark before ending the interview.
“You’re not going to put this in the sports section, are you?”
