Oceanside Rotary to host basketball fundrasier

In an effort to raise money for college scholarships, the Oceanside Rotary Club will host its seventh annual Tip-Off Classic on Dec. 9 in the Oceanside High School gym.

The fundraiser consists of two basketball games between students from Oceanside High School and Lawrence High School’s men and women’s varsity teams.

According to Jeff Toback, the rotary chair who planned the event, six scholarships are given out as a result of the event, four to Oceanside seniors and two to Lawrence seniors. Two of the Oceanside scholarships are given to students chosen by the school for academics and another scholarship is given to an athlete who is also chosen by the school.

The other two scholarships are chosen by Lawrence High School.

The final scholarship, according to Toback, is given to an OHS student in memory of a deceased member of the rotary club and is based on community service.

The Rotary Club hopes not only to reach its goal of $2,900, Toback said, but exceed it.

“We’re well on our way to that goal this year,” Toback said. “If we’re lucky, we’ll have some money to add to the scholarships or even to create a new one.”

Nearly 300 people attended the men’s basketball game last year, with a slightly smaller audience for the women’s game, Toback said.

At the games, the Rotary will be selling raffle tickets and the winners can get a variety of prizes. The grand prize this year is a 40-inch television that was donated by Home Appliance, located in Oceanside.

The Oceanside High School Interact Club will also be selling candy, healthy snacks and water during the games.

Stewart Gubenko, the president of the Oceanside Rotary Club, acknowledged the fundraiser’s importance in difficult financial times.

“I think the economy is just dismal right now, unemployment benefits are running out for people, and we just see more of a need,” Gubenko said. “It’s a wonderful outpouring of love from the businesses and community at large.”

Toback agreed that the fundraiser showed how a community could support itself. “I think it’s a good way to get the community together,” Toback said. “It’s a nice way for the community to show their appreciation for the student athletes.”

The tip-off for the women’s game will be at 5 p.m., while the tip-off for the men’s game will be at 9 p.m.

Those interested in learning more can email JeffToback@gmail.com for more information. Checks are payable to Oceanside Rotary Club and can be mailed to Treasurer Bruce Kesten at 3111 Grand Blvd,, Baldwin, N.Y. 11510.