The team will host a fundraiser April 21 to help with traveling costs.
Plant City High School’s Unified Florida Basketball Team made a splash in 2014, winning gold at the Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey. This year, the team is trying to do it again in Seattle.
To get there, though, they’re looking for help.
The team is hosting a fundraiser on April 21 with the goal of raising enough money to cover the costs to get to and stay in Seattle for the games, which run from July 1-6.
The team’s getting ready to host a steak dinner and auction fundraiser at Countryside Baptist Church, 13422 Sydney Road, Dover. Attendees at the “dressy casual” event can participate in silent and live auctions for items such as a pair of Tampa Bay Buccaneers suite tickets for a game to be determined in the upcoming 2018-19 season.
Tickets can be purchased for $50 per person and purchases of eight or more tickets for one party will guarantee a reserved table for the group. The team hopes to sell as many tickets as possible for the event, even if it means a packed fellowship hall.
“If 300 people buy tickets, we meet our goal of $20,000,” player Holly Eddins said.
The team has already raised some money for the trip and also recently received a $2,500 donation from Unity in the Community.
The silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner will take place at 6:30 p.m. that evening. The team is also accepting donations of money, auction items or services and individual athlete sponsorships, which can be purchased for $2,000 and include a customized “swag bag” for the athlete with the sponsor’s logo printed on its main items.
This confident squad, which features boys and girls, prides itself on team chemistry and working together to get the job done every time the players set foot on the court.
“Everyone knows their job and we all have one part,” player John Davis said. “We all put our parts together and we do good together.”
The 2018 basketball team is the first Plant City-area team in any sport to qualify for the USA Games since the 2014 basketball team did it. Their goal is to win gold, just like their predecessors did.
“We’re gonna play good and win at nationals,” player Kyle Hall said.
To buy fundraiser tickets or get more information, call Cindy Givens at 813-856-6155.
