Jan. 16, 2008

Shootout - For the 11th consecutive year, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University and the Kiwanis Club of Abilene have teamed up for their Basketball Shootout to benefit the Children's Miracle Network at the two teams game on Monday, Feb. 21 at HSU.

Each year in the January basketball meeting of the two teams, the Kiwanis use the game as a fundraiser for the "Young Children Priority One" projects. As in past years, the Kiwanis will be in charge of selling tickets and will also take up a donation at the games.

This year other entities have been involved in helping set the stage for the event. The group has had "change bandits" all around town. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and First Financial Bank of Abilene have committed to be change bandits and have been collecting change for the game. Those two groups will have representatives at the game to present change they have collected. The Boy Scouts Troop 206 will collect change at the game as well.

"In the first 10 years we have raised nearly $20,000 for the Children's Miracle Network, including over $5,300 just last year," said David Jones, who is the chairman of the event for the Kiwanis.

"The two schools have embraced this game. Not only is it important for them in the conference basketball races, but also they have taken it upon themselves to make this a priority for the CMN as well. They both enthusiastically do everything that is asked of them for this event."

The CMN also brings a Miracle Child to the game that visits with the teams in the locker room before the game and there is a presentation dealing with the Miracle Child's story of hope that came from their dealing with the Meek Childern's Hospital at Hendrick Medical Center and the Children's Miracle Network. All donations from the game go directly to the CMN.

The women's game is slated for 5:30 p.m. and the men will follow at 7:30 on Monday, Jan. 21 at the Hardin-Simmons Mabee Complex.