The Harlem Wizards: Fine Purveyors of "Trick Hoopz and Alley Oops"
We’ve written about the PPI Fellowship alumni here on the Sixth Man before, and today we’re proud to announce a new initiative sparked by the energy and enthusiasm of our former Fellows. On Sunday, March 21st, the Harlem Wizards will be playing the Safe Haven All-Stars at Columbia University’s Dodge Physical Fitness Center. This event has been organized by Danny Ourian, who spent two years working with PeacePlayers International – Middle East, and now works with the Safe Haven West Side Basketball League, which provides safe supervised recreational activity during the winter months for children in New York.
Danny, representing PPI - ME in NYC
The Harlem Wizards are one of the greatest basketball shows in the country, promising “Trick Hoopz and Alley Oops” at each one of their events, with a stock of talent that includes former players from the Harlem Globetrotters, several NCAA D-I schools and more, all determined to wow fans and put the best exhibition of basketball talent on display.
Tickets are $10 in advance for all comers, $12 at the door for children and $15 at the door for adults, and, thanks to the generosity of Safe Haven and the Wizards, proceeds will benefit PeacePlayers International.
With the combined energy of the Harlem Wizards, Safe Haven Hoops, and PPI, tickets are sure to move quickly. PPI will also have both former and current staff on-site to talk about their experiences with the program. If you’re in the New York area and looking for an opportunity to connect with PPI or learn more – or if you just want to see some exciting hoops on the Upper West Side – get your tickets now.
See the press release after the break for more information.
___________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: David Lasday
Phone: 301-351-7939
E-mail: Lasday.David@gmail.com
THE HARLEM WIZARDS VS. SAFE HAVEN WEST SIDE BASKETBALL LEAGUE ALL-STARS AND COACHES
Fundraiser Benefiting PeacePlayers International
New York, NY – On Sunday, March 21, 2010, the Harlem Wizards, show basketball team, are taking on The Safe Haven West Side Basketball League All-Stars and coaches at 6:30pm at Columbia University’s Levien Gym, to celebrate the end of the Safe Haven West Side Basketball League’s season. The Safe Haven team will be composed of standout youth players and volunteer coaches. The Harlem Wizards’ team features some of the top basketball talent in the world, exhibiting an exciting brand of “Trick Hoopz and Alley Oops.”
Proceeds from the game will benefit PeacePlayers International, a non-profit organization that uses the game of basketball to unite and educate children and their communities in conflict and post-conflict regions around the world.
According to Danny Ourian, Director of Operations for The Safe Haven West Side Basketball League, and former Program Director for PeacePlayers International – Middle East, “This event will serve as a great culmination to our season, while also giving youth from Safe Haven the opportunity to connect with and support a program (PeacePlayers International) that does phenomenal work, using the game of basketball to bring people together. We are excited to have our Safe Haven youth help raise money for such a worthy cause, and we thank the Harlem Wizards and Columbia University for partnering with us for this event.”
Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 for children (18 and under), $15 for adults, at the door. The event will also include raffle prizes from local sponsors.
The Safe Haven West Side Basketball League was designed to give children a safe supervised recreational activity during the winter months. Now in its 21st season, the league works with children in grades 3rd through 12th, while also offering a division for special needs youth. All games and practices are on weekends at public school gyms located on Manhattan Upper West Side. For more information, and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.safehavenhoops.org/
Since its inception in 2001, PeacePlayers International has reached more than 45,000 children in global conflict zones, launching international programs in Israel and the West Bank, Northern Ireland, South Africa and Cyprus that integrate children from opposite sides of deep religious, ethnic or cultural divides through basketball. PeacePlayers International works on the simple yet powerful premise that “children who play together can learn to live together.” For more information, please visit www.peaceplayersintl.org.
The Harlem Wizards are one of the greatest basketball show teams to ever “lace it up and let ‘em fly.” The Harlem Wizards’ mission is to create a joyous, awe-inspiring basketball experience for all. Since 1962, the Harlem Wizards have played over 6,000 games in both the United States and abroad, thrilling millions of fans along the way. The Harlem Wizards perform for colleges, corporations, communities and private events, raising millions of dollars for charities and non-profits, while providing amazing basketball entertainment. For more information, please visit http://www.harlemwizards.com/
