Nelson and Becker host Hoops for Hope

Charity Basketball Game turns into a dunk fest

Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson and City of Apopka Commissioner Kyle Becker hosted the 1st Annual Hoops for Hope charity basketball game last night at The Cooper Sportsplex in Apopka. The Court Kingz defeated a group of Apopka and Wekiva High School basketball players 129-80 in what quickly turned into a slam dunk contest among the Kingz players. However the winners tonight were the non-profit group HSC II Parent Awareness and the Apopka community.

Mina Robinson is the Director of Development for HCS II Parent Awareness and Coordinator of the Hoops for Hope event. She explained the chance meeting between her and Nelson that brought this event to fruition.

"Commissioner (Bryan) Nelson and I did a similar event in Zellwood," she said. "Then we reached out to Commissioner (Kyle) Becker at the Task Force event at the (John) Bridges Center. All of us thought we could make this an important and fulfilling event."

Becker confirmed the meeting, and thanked everyone who helped make the event a success.

"Mina Robinson with Parent Awareness approached me at one of the task force meetings and asked if I would support the event," he said "The purpose of Hoops for Hope was to highlight the need for forums that bring the community together with our law enforcement officers, where trust can be built so we don't get into situations we have seen in other cities nationwide. I hope this is just the start of more events like this. I would like to thank all those who helped sponsor, organize, and participate to make it a success. As a result of our generous sponsorships, Parent Awareness will be providing scholarships to youth from Apopka and Wekiva High Schools."

All proceeds from the event went towards scholarship funds for qualifying senior students at both Apopka and Wekiva High Schools. The scholarships will be given on behalf of the Apopka Community Task Force on Violence. Included in those proceeds were two checks from the Modern Woodmen Chapters #16422 and #16746. Each chapter donated $3,100.00.

Task Force Chairman Rod Love was appreciative of the event and the proceeds.

"I believe the Hoops for Hope charity basketball game this evening is yet another demonstration that when we work together as a community, we can accomplish much," Love said. "Parents, politicians, pastors, grandparents, young adults, school age children, blacks, whites, Latino's, the Apopka Women's Club, members of the Apopka Rotary Club, and even babies in diapers, along with our law enforcement officers are a tightly woven community. Mina Robinson did a fantastic job of proving, we are One APOPKA Strong!"

According to its news release, Hoops For Hope is passionate about people and wants to see youth improve their social skills as well as discover that they are significant in this world. Hoops for Hope believes that everyone has a Purpose, a Plan, a Part and a Place. They plan to touch the lives of children who are most at-risk, and inspire them to become confident, competent and caring individuals in our society.

Robinson took the praise humbly and explained her passion for the event.

"Hoops for Hope gives the kids of the community a positive outlook on law enforcement. It lets them know there is a way to engage with law enforcement without a negative outcome."

Nelson is already looking ahead at the event's future.

"What started out as a dream turned into a reality tonight. We are hoping to build off of this event and do it for years to come. Bringing the community together with law enforcement in a positive environment is so important."