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February 28, 2007
BETHLEHEM, PA – Selections were made
today for the Via All-Star Basketball
Classic by a media panel. Thirty five area highs schools
were invited to nominate players for the 32nd Annual Classic
which raises funds for Via of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.’s
Employment Programs and showcases the basketball talents of
area student athletes.
Via All-Star Players of the Year, Teams of the Year, and two
scholarship award winners will be announced at the Via All-Star
Banquet. The Lehigh Valley
Basketball Hall of Fame inductions will also be made at
this time.
The Via All-Star selection panel is made up of invited representatives
from each of the following sports departments: The Morning
Call, The Express Times, RCN, Service Electric TV 2, WFMZ,
Blue Ridge Cable, and the Pocono Record.
The Via All-Star Basketball Classic’s “Super Saturday,”
sponsored by Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust, Sodexho,
Wegman’s, the Harold S. Campbell Foundation, Concannon,
Miller, & Co., P.C., and Coordinated Health, is Saturday,
March 31, 2007 at 10:30 am at Freedom High School Gymnasium
in Bethlehem, PA.
Super Saturday Game Schedule
o 10:30 am LV West Bracket #4 vs. LV East Bracket #2 - Girls
o 12 pm LV West Bracket #4 vs. LV East Bracket #2 - Boys
o 1:30 pm Coordinated Health 3-Point Shooting Contest
o 2 pm LV West Bracket #3 vs. LV East Bracket #1 - Girls
o 3:30 pm LV West Bracket #3 vs. LV East Bracket #1- Boys
Jason McElwain, whose visit is sponsored and underwritten
by Wegman’s, will kick off the Classic as the speaker
for the Via All-Star Banquet on Thursday, March 29, 2007 at
6 pm at Freedom High School. McElwain, diagnosed with autism
at age two, was the equipment manager for his high school
basketball team. In the last game of the season, his coach
gave him the opportunity to play. McElwain proved just what
he could do when given a shot.
“Just like Jason’s coach, Via believes that everybody
deserves a shot,” said Scott Fainor, President and CEO
of Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust, lead sponsor of the
Via All-Star Basketball Classic. “Jason excelled when
someone gave him a shot and Via believes that everyone, including
people with disabilities, deserves a shot.”
McElwain scored 20 points, six three-point shots, in under
four minutes to become the leading scorer of the game. At
the end of the game, the student’s rushed the floor
and hoisted McElwain onto their shoulders. His story was picked
up by local and national media outlets and was posted online
where it has over 600,000 hits. Jason graduated from high
school last year and works at Wegman’s in Rochester,
NY.
“The goal of the Via All-Star Basketball Classic is
to raise $50,000 for Via Employment Programs which partner
with companies like Wegman’s and Keystone Nazareth Bank
& Trust to help people with developmental disabilities
gain successful inclusive employment,” said Chuck Stehly,
Via of the Lehigh Valley, Inc., Chairman of the Board of Directors.
“The Classic will educate participants about Via’s
programs and the need for community involvement through financial,
partnership and advocacy support, and showcase the basketball
talents of our area student athletes.”
“We value the opportunities Via provides to people with
disabilities and want to be a part of an event that helps
people with disabilities find jobs in the community,”
said Fainor. “The Via All-Star Classic is a unique opportunity
to showcase the talent of our area student athletes and provide
them the opportunity to be a part of an event that has an
even bigger meaning.
It’s an important lesson to learn – to give back
to your community – and these students are learning
that by being a part of the Via All-Star Classic. This isn’t
just about basketball – it’s about giving everyone
a shot – it’s about helping others and being a
part of our community. KNBT is excited to part of that.”
Tickets to the Via All-Star Basketball Classic are on sale
today for $5. Call 484-893-5389 for tickets.
All proceeds benefit Via of the Lehigh Valley, a non-profit
human service agency, that provides services for children
and adults with developmental disabilities. Via teachers and
therapists work with children in their homes to address disabilities
and delays through early intervention services and train daycares
so they can include children with disabilities in their programs.
Via finds jobs in the community for people with disabilities
and provides work assessments and job training. Via assists
families with in-home nursing & home care services, and
helps people with disabilities volunteer in the community,
participate in leisure activities, and find or purchase affordable,
accessible housing.
Lisa Walkiewicz
Communications Director
484-893-5390
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