Being very passionate about basketball, my goal is to be able to share this passion with childen who might not have an opportunity to experience this passion. By giving out basketballs, I hope that I can give them an opportunity to try the game of basketball, and who knows, maybe they will develop a similar love for the game that I have. After attending the HLA “Toys for Hope” event at King Chavez Academy, I was able to witness the effect that serving has on the community. I felt compelled to add as much as I could to this event, and that is how I started on this mission. In order to actually make a difference, I had to determine what I could bring to the table.
From experience, I knew that many of the kids who attended this annual event were very athletic and liked to run around a lot. During last year's event, my friends and I had the opportunity to run the basketball hoop station, where the attending children were able to shoot basketballs and have a good time in the presence of encouragement and fellowship. I saw a glimpse of my own love for the game of basketball in each one of them. Then, towards the end of the event, an extraordinary amount of bikes were compiled in the middle of the gathering. It seemed like a lot of bikes to me, but I didn’t know how many there actually were. When I started helping people exit the event at its conclusion, I realized that every single one of the roughly 2,000 kids in attendance had received a bike.
Right then, at that moment, I knew I wanted to set a goal for next year. I wanted to be able to give every single kid a basketball to go along with their bike. There are hoops all over San Diego, but basketballs are often hard to come by, so I thought that if each kid got a basketball, the opportunities that it would lead to would be endless. Any sport, but specifically basketball, is a great way to exert energy and work hard towards a goal. Each basketball symbolizes more than just a piece of sports equipment; it represents a pathway to physical health, social cohesion, and personal growth. Just one more donated basketball could mean one more opportunity for a kid like me. it could translate to many hours of friendship, hard work, and hopefully, a similar passion for the game that I possess. After many months of work, I am committed to making sure that when every kid leaves next year, they are not only leaving with their bike, but with their basketball as well. I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to help make an impact by contributing to this journey.
About me: My name is Will Ralston, I am a sophomore attending Maranatha Christian High School in San Diego, California. I have been playing basketball all my life, but started to take the game seriously at around the age of 10. I love the team aspect of the game, and how it takes all 5 players working together to be successful. I play on my high school team as well as on a club team during the off-season. When I’m not studying or hanging out with friends/family, you can find me at the gym, trying to improve my game.
My mission: I aiming to provide underprivileged children with opportunities to play the game of basketball. My mission is to spread the game we love, one basketball at a time. I believe that consistency is important for these children and by sharing my love of the game with them, I hope to give them a source of joy as well as an outlet for physical exertion.
Event details: This event will be on December 14 2024, from 9AM to 1PM, partnered with HLA for the Toys for Hope event. This event will take place at King Chavez School, in Barrio Logan, San Diego. The address for this school is 415 31st St. San Diego, CA 92102.
