HOOPS & Hoopla Raises $155,000 for National Jewish Health and Chronically Ill Children

Nearly 400 guests raised $155,000 for National Jewish Health and Morgridge Academy while watching the men’s college basketball semifinal games on Saturday, April 6, at HOOPS & Hoopla presented by Greiner Electric. The annual fans’ night out event was held at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.

Morgridge Academy is a free school which serves children in kindergarten through eighth grade who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness. Morgridge Academy is the only school of its kind on a medical campus in the country.

Between games, Master of Ceremonies Ryan Harris, a member of Denver’s offensive line for the most recent Championship team and co-host of 92.5 FM Altitude Sport’s “Harris, Hastings and Dover,” applauded the group for making a difference for the students of Morgridge Academy.

“It is a unique experience to spend time there,” said Harris. “The school is an important part of the mission of National Jewish Health, the leading respiratory hospital in the nation.”

Before the second game tipped off, Morgridge Academy alumni and current Board Member Brian Parks introduced Jennifer McCullough, director of education for Morgridge Academy, who explained how support for the event helps fund full-time nurses, specialized programs and highly trained teachers to help children thrive.

Excitement for the event started building last fall when eight local businesses established “teams” and began spreading the word about Morgridge Academy and fundraising for their designated classrooms. Much of the event’s fundraising success is thanks to a group of nine committee members who served as “coaches” and “assistant coaches.” Led by Kris Wintroub and Tom Tarver of Team Greiner, the coaches include Peter Fox, William Gregor, Jerry Laflen, Crystal Peden and assistant coaches Richard Kalisek, Mike Narum and JR Wiles. See the full list of sponsors.

Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Health is a unique, free day school for 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.