Sign up for Hoops for Hope 3v3 Basketball Tournament

On March 18 and 19, the 12 Oaks Foundation will host its annual three-on-three basketball tournament, "Hoops for Hope," at Grayslake North High School.

Teams of four or more players in fourth grade and older can sign up for open slots until March 12. All proceeds go to 12 Oaks Foundation.

"We wanted to bring families together for a fun weekend with a little spirited competition thrown in," said Steve Hupp, who founded 12 Oaks along with his wife, Julie. Hupp says he hopes the tournament will create more awareness for the foundation and how it can help the community.

The Hupps established 12 Oaks Foundation in memory of their son, Matthew Hupp, who died of Burkitt's lymphoma in 2009 at age 13. Matt loved playing sports and developed many of his strengths through team participation, say his parents. After his death, they decided to create a charity to help give other children similar opportunities.

Using funds raised through events like Hoops for Hope, 12 Oaks provides grants for sports and other programs for children in families experiencing financial hardship related to ongoing cancer treatment of a family member.

Over the past six years, the foundation had helped more than 350 children and families stay in their activities. Last year the foundation provided more than $55,000 to over 150 children.

"After seeing what the Hupps went through, I think we need to make every effort to give kids in those situations a sense of normalcy and stability," said Michelle Ptasienski, the mom of five boys, all active in sports.

A family friend of the Hupps, Ptasienski is helping coordinate the many volunteers needed to host an event like Hoops for Hope. She says the community has responded enthusiastically, and team slots are rapidly filling up.

Organizers group participating teams into divisions by age and gender, from fourth-graders through high school and adults younger than 35. Adults older than 35 can participate in a drop in, full court game.

An early bird registration entry fee of $35 per child is available through March 1; registration March 2-12 is $40. Registration includes a 12 Oaks reversible mesh jersey.

To register or for more details, including volunteer opportunities, visit www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1169304.