COAL TOWNSHIP - Last weekend's Salvation Army Adult Basketball Tournament raised $2,756.50 for the local Salvation Army chapter, one of the highest amounts raised in the eight-year history of the event.
Games were played Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday at the Shamokin Area Middle/High School gymnasium.
The tournament, which this year involved 14 teams, is the largest fundraiser for the Shamokin-Coal Township chapter, which, in addition to other charity work throughout the year, assisted 614 families this past Christmas.
Tournament organizers gave special thanks to all referees who volunteered their time for the games, especially to Justin Rickert, Cory Houser, Brad Nahodil, Derek Lapotsky and Steve Lapotsky, but also to Mike Slodysko, Dwayne Scicchitano, Rich Weikel, Steve Jacoby, Jim Fiamoncini, Rick Miller, Ed Griffiths, Paul Niglio, Ray Shimko, Jeremy Haddock, Rick Wilson and Jesse Butler.
Their free work is what allows the tournament to make such a respectable profit, which comes from team entry fees, concession sales and individual donations. The collections included those dropped into the Salvation Army's well-recognized red kettle, which was set up at the entrance of the gym for the weekend.
Student workers from Shamokin Area completed their senior projects by manning the clock and scorebook and helping to clean up. They included Cameron Bradley, Stephen Bressi, Danielle Favinger, Nate Mallett, Aaron Zimmerman, Kime Newborn, Dylan Kosmer, Jarrod Haddock, Jamie Shaffer, Veronica Strohecker, Deanne Rosini, Keisha Foulds and Rachel Trelinskie.
Bill Spotts, a custodian at the school, volunteered much of his time for set up and clean up. Organizers also thank Paul Metrocavage, former president of the Shamokin Youth Basketball League, a Salvation Army board member and a retired editor at The News-Item, who helped compile story coverage for the newspaper each day of the tournament.
Also recognized were private donations from Janis Kotwica, Brian Persing, Mark Anonia, Henry Linton, Harry Deitz, Metrocavage, Ned Sodrick, Lois McCormick, Dave Hoffman and Greg Zyla.
Business donations were provided by Earl Sheriff at Irish Isle Provisions and Flo and Kathy James at James Pizza.
The Shamokin Area School Board was also thanked for allowing use of district facilities.