Dear editor,

The Valley Hometown Fund Advisory Board hosted two Celebrity Basketball Games at Tippecanoe Valley High School the evening of Thursday, March 8, to raise money to establish an endowment with the Fulton County Community Foundation. Once established, the endowment will allow the Valley Hometown Fund to award grants annually for projects that benefit the students and residents of the Tippecanoe Valley area. The event was well attended as members of the community gathered to watch a team of area firefighters play a team of Tippecanoe Valley staff members in the evening’s first game. The second game featured the Viking Legends (TVHS players from 1998-2007) taking on the Viking Young Guns (TVHS players from 2008-2017) in a highly competitive contest won by the Young Guns 82-80 on a three-point shot by Steven Tillman at the buzzer.

Thank you to the almost 50 players that suited up for an entertaining evening of basketball. Volunteer coaches for the evening were Bill Patrick, Blaine Conley, and Chad Patrick. Rita Price served as the announcer while Beth Landis handled the music.  Mentone Elementary School Teacher Kylene Crabb sang our National Anthem beautifully while Ryan Murphy and Bryan Murphy officiated both games. Marilyn McDonald of the Igloo Ice Cream Shop provided bottled water for the players and offered her delicious ice cream. Akron Elementary School Teacher Melody Rockhill was the winner of the Ms. Basketball Penny-a-Vote Contest while Mentone Elementary School Head Custodian David Anweiler was the winner of the Mr. Basketball Penny-a-Vote Contest. Each was awarded a gift certificate donated by Dilly’s Restaurant. Lake City Bank’s Karen Francis and Jane Murphy hosted the Lake City Bank Shot. Finally, thank you to the many area businesses that served as shirt sponsors.

The Valley Hometown Fund was created by Tippecanoe Valley graduates with the mission of connecting alumni with their schools and hometowns in support of education and community development. The funds generated by the evening’s activities will be used to benefit education and community development in the Tippecanoe Valley area for years to come.

The support and involvement of everyone that made this a successful evening are truly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Brett R. Boggs
Chair, Valley Hometown Fund Advisory Committee