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Charity Basketball Tournament makes record donation
By Ashley Holt
In 2007, the theme of “A Monumental Event” was embraced to
spotlight the fifth annual McDonald’s Texas Invitational
Basketball Tournament, and it lived up to its billing in
more ways than one as tournament officials recently
presented a $100,000 check to the Pasadena ISD Education
Foundation.
At a special reception honoring tournament volunteers,
education and school board members, teachers and tournament
sponsors, Pasadena ISD Education Foundation President Randy
Perry proudly received the check and thanked the community
for its efforts.
“The Pasadena ISD Education Foundation has grown
significantly in the last 5 years and most of the credit for
that growth belongs to the McDonald’s Invitational
Basketball Tournament,” Perry said. “Through the efforts of
all the sponsors, volunteers, the school district and the
community, teachers will be able to provide something
special to enhance the education process. This level of
contribution will mean more students will be positively
affected. I can’t think of any other activity that provides
more community involvement than this tournament.”
The Pasadena ISD Education Foundation provides funds for
educational programs and activities, which either have been
under-funded by the normal operating budget, allowing
teachers to provide innovative instruction that increases
student achievement and expands community involvement. To
date, the foundation has awarded a total over $500,000 in
grants to teachers, and the tournament has served as its
primary fundraiser since 2003.
“As the tournament supports the foundation and the
foundation supports our schools, the students ultimately
benefit from a more rigorous and relevant instructional
program,” said Pasadena ISD Superintendent Kirk Lewis.
“We are truly grateful for the dedication and commitment
many volunteers have demonstrated and are appreciative of
their generosity. Everything this tournament does makes a
difference in the lives of our students.”
The tournament has grown each year, contributing $260,000
since 2003. McDonald’s became the headline sponsor in 2005,
and attendance and the waiting list of quality teams has
continuously increased. Establishing itself as one of the
premier high school basketball tournaments in the state,
this year’s tournament hosted the talents of several of the
nation’s top players and the state’s top-ranked teams in a
48-team boys’ division and 32-team girls’ bracket.
“This is more than just a tournament, and we have said that
from the beginning,” said tournament chairman Ben Meador.
“This is about providing more educational opportunities for
our students and showcasing the wonderful city of Pasadena.
We couldn’t do this every year without the help of our
sponsors and volunteers, and we are very pleased to have met
our $100,000 goal this year with their help. It has made
believers of us all, and we are going to continue to make
this event the best it can be.”
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