Rotarians playing the game of life
Yes, it's an opportunity for some to learn the fundamentals of basketball.And yes, it's an opportunity to hang with the coaches and players of one of the elite Division III basketball programs in the United States.
Most important, though, it's an opportunity to help others.
That may be the ultimate lesson to be learned Sunday, Nov. 8, when the Al Van Wie Basketball Clinic, which is sponsored by the Wooster Rotary Club, takes place at The College of Wooster's Timken Gymnasium from 2-4 p.m.
The clinic is a teaching opportunity in any number of ways. It is about basketball, but it is also food for not only the soul, but food – real food – for those families reeling under the weight of the current economic crisis in the United States.
That is the hole the clinic and Rotary have been trying to fill for the past 16 years and that has taken on added importance this year, said Jon Rose, who chairs the Rotary program.
"The bottom line is we're collecting food for People to People and the more people know, the better we do," said Rose. "Obviously the unemployment numbers are up and People to People needs more this year. The recent headlines may be a little better, but (the economy) hasn't turned around yet."
This is the kind of program that can help plug the hole in part because it is affordable for virtually anyone. Admission to the clinic is four canned or boxed nonperishable food items or a $2 donation. When the Scots open their home season in the Van Wie Rotary Tournament on Nov. 20-21, fans can get their first look at the No. 9-ranked Scots by D3hoops.com by dropping off food as well.
That need to give back is what has helped Rose stay with the program, including as chair for the past 12 years.
"There are a combination of things that appeal to me," said Rose. "One, there is the college/town relationship … and the sponsorship of the tournament and the youth clinic. I think the college kids have a better answer of why they are in school … Plus, the whole thing involves People to People as a way to help out.
"As Al has told people, before he put his name on it, he wanted it to be more than a basketball tournament. It's nice to sponsor the tournament, but it needed to be something more."
It has been exactly that, noted Rose, who pointed out that the People to People program has provided necessary stop-gap assistance for many people.
"People to People is really efficient," said Rose. "This influx is able to get them … through the holidays and into spring. This is a tough time with Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. The timing is right for this to be at the beginning of the basketball season."
Rotary is involved beyond the clinic and the tournament, though. Rose noted that Rotary volunteers go out to 16 area schools on Nov. 9-13 to talk about and pick up food items and bring them to People to People.
"Our largest influence is through the schools … which is coordinated by Chad Boreman," said Rose. "We have guys give a talk and the principals get behind us and then we physically haul the food back. We do a raffle and we also write letters to all Rotary Club members and ask them for monetary donations. We get some nice checks to support the food drive. We handle the cans and boxes and then at the end we add a check. We also go back to recognize the schools who were both No. 1 (in volume) and who raised the most per capita. We give them basketballs for recess and go back and do an ice cream party as a nice thank-you to the kids.
"Plus, Buehler's has agreed to add collection bins at both of their stores to thank the community and Al. That is important to him.
"He's really sincere. He gets a big kick out of the clinic. I told the Rotarians that if they have a chance, to show up and watch. It's fun to watch the kids interact with the college players and see the college kids step up."
Those college players, though, won't be the only ones stepping up. That is the real message Rose, Van Wie and Rotary hope to be able to convey. While the results of that may be hidden from public view on a shelf at People to People, ultimately they will be seen on the face of a stranger or a neighbor or, perhaps, even a family member.
And while it may not seem like much to some, a helping hand in a time of need is a lifeline of hope.