Record Numbers at HOOPS and Hoopla

Event Raises $146,000 for School for Chronically Ill Children at National Jewish Health

The college men’s semi-final basketball games may not have been the nail-biters most like to see this time of year, but HOOPS & Hoopla benefiting Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Health added the “wow” factor. The event kept more than 420 fans entertained as they raised $146,000 for the unique, free day school for chronically ill children located on the campus of National Jewish Health. Held on April 2, 2016, HOOPS & Hoopla was presented by Greiner Electric.
 

This year’s record-breaking attendance packed the Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale. Attendees were surrounded by 1,600 square feet of viewing screens showing the match-up of college basketball’s four best teams. Fans could also turn their attention to the gourmet buffet dinner, open bar, silent auction, basketball pop-a-shot, poker, blackjack, roulette and arcade games, all in support of the school.

“Basketball on the big screens, lots of food and games – it was great,” said Kris Wintroub, chief financial officer of Greiner Electric. “I also really enjoyed socializing and getting everybody to understand how Morgridge Academy and National Jewish Health change lives.”

Seven Teams Win Big

HOOPS & Hoopla committee members served as “coaches” for the seven Morgridge Academy classes or “teams.” Each coach was responsible for building excitement among supporters and fundraising to meet the classroom goal. Wintroub served as coach of the kindergarten and first grade team.

“We get everyone in the company to reach out to their contacts, attend the event and really get involved. They love it,” Wintroub said. “In fact, one of our employees bought $500 of mini basketballs at HOOPS & Hoopla to support our team.”

Before the event, coaches visited with the students on their team to see the work they are supporting first-hand. “My sister, our kids and I visited the kindergarten and first grade class. What we noticed the most was lots of happy kids,” Wintroub said.

Morgridge Academy students have access to world-class medical care and are taught to manage their illness on a daily basis. Success at Morgridge Academy is measured not only academically, but also medically and through overall quality of life. The hard work of the seven HOOPS & Hoopla teams will help 90 kids move from being “sick kids” to just being “kids.”

Trophies Awarded to Say Thanks

Two basketball teams remained standing on the court that night, but the big winners were at HOOPS & Hoopla and Morgridge Academy. The event’s annual MVP trophy was awarded to team Greiner Electric for raising more than $60,000 for Morgridge Academy. The Heart of a Champion Award went to Ryan Wilson from GE Johnson Construction. He led his team to exceed its fundraising goal of raising 10 percent of the class’ funding gap. GE Johnson Construction also printed t-shirts for their entire team to wear, including the students. Patrick Fairfield with UMB was recognized for his first-year fundraising efforts with the Rookie of the Year Award.

HOOPS & Hoopla coaches included Denise Cito, CED; Patrick Fairfield, UMB; Peter Fox, Trautman & Shreve; Craig Gallogly, CED; William Gregor, Mortenson Construction; Jerry Laflen, BKD, LLP; Elliot Rosenberg; Tom Tarver, Greiner Electric; Ryan Wilson, GE Johnson Construction Company; and Kris Wintroub, Greiner Electric.

Sponsors for the event included eight-time presenting sponsor Greiner Electric, Graybar, Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan, 5280 Magazine, GE Johnson Construction Company, Mr. and Mrs. Ward Mahanke, Mortenson Construction, RK Steel and Rocky Mountain Prestress.

For future HOOPS & Hoopla event or sponsorship information, contact Rebecca Reutlinger at ReutlingerR@njhealth.org or visit hoopsandhoopla.com.

Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Health is a unique, free day school for 90 chronically ill students in kindergarten through eighth grades. Its mission is to provide a safe, friendly and healthy school environment where students succeed academically, medically and socially.