Harlem wizard visits Lehighton ahead of fundraiser
Morgan Shaffer, right, learns how to spin a basketball on her finger from Leon “Space Jam” Sewell of the Harlem Wizards during an assembly Friday at Lehighton Area Middle School. The Wizards will hold a fundraising game on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Lehighton Area Elementary Center. JARRAD HEDES/TIMES NEWS
Dunks, tricks and laughs will fill Lehighton Area Elementary Center’s gymnasium next month as the Harlem Wizards bring their high-flying basketball act to town.
The event, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 21, is a fundraiser for the Lehighton Education and Athletic Foundation.
LEAF uses the money to fund competitive grants to teachers for innovative curricular activities, provide financial support for enrichment and remediation programs, expand use of technology in the classroom and enrich the fine arts, extracurricular and athletic programs.
“This is a first for us to have the Wizards here at Lehighton so we’re very excited and are hoping the community comes out for a great time to support our schools and our students,” said LEAF board member Tim Tkach, who is also Lehighton’s assistant to the superintendent.
On Friday, Wizards star Leon Sewell, also known as Space Jam, visited the elementary center and Lehighton Area Middle School to help pump up students in advance of the game.
Sewell dunked to the delight of both crowds and gave a sneak peek of the tricks the audience will be able to catch during the show.
“We want to teach the students respect,” Sewell said. “Respect takes you far in life. You treat people the way you want to be treated. It’s also about integrity and determination. Whatever you want to become in life, it starts today with believing in yourself. If you come willing to learn with a positive attitude, that will help lead you to success.”
The Wizards, which have been around since 1962, will play a team of teachers from the district in a game that will feature tricks, music, dunks, comedy, dancing, and audience participation.
According to the Wizards website, the typical profit for a game is between $5,000 and $20,000. The high amount earned last season by one group was $43,000.
Tkach said Lehighton’s gym holds 2,500.
Advance tickets for the Wizards game cost $8 for a student, $10 for general admission and $25 for “courtside plus,” which includes a 10-minute meet and greet with two or three Wizards starting 45 minutes before game time, a poster and a keepsake lanyard/credential. You can also purchase a jersey at the game and get a $10 discount with the courtside ticket.
Tickets are on sale now at https://www.harlemwizards.com/schedule-tickets.
Comments
Good for you LEAF and Tim Tkach. Your efforts are noble and we'll supported by all of us in the community. Just imagine if you used the efforts to fix the mismanagement of our government schools that leave these important tasks aside.
Tim Tkach, just imagine is the funds taken in by the REACH political committee were used for good, rather than to promote immoral incumbents that fail to provide for our students, and staff.
Tim, can you explain how members of the REACH committee gain access to our students and use of the school logo? Yet the LEAF committee has to raise charity funds to provide basic needs in our govt schools? And, why teachers needs to use outsourcing for art supplies? Please, Tim, shine some transparent sunshine on the funds being consumed, leaving such shortfalls?
Thank you for all that is done for the kids, and consider strongly, to end the things that go against common sense, that harm our students' future. A critical review can reveal areas of progress.
Sincerely,
Citizen David F. Bradley Sr.