Tourney to raise money for young cancer patients
A 3-on-3 basketball tournament that raises money for young cancer patients needs more players to ensure it's a smashing success.
The Sean Toedman Memorial Basketball Tournament, in its third year, already is off to a good start toward meeting its goal to raise $6,000, said David Schultz, who runs the event. It will be held June 23 at Lions Park in East Dundee.
The tournament has secured corporate donors that will have their logos featured on players' shirts. That's expected to raise between $2,000 and $2,500 alone.
“In the past, we've collected raffle prizes as donations, but we've never sold T-shirt space like this,” Schultz said. “I'd say we have somewhere between 15 and 20 corporate sponsors.”
The tournament was named after Sean Toedman, a 12-year-old boy from unincorporated Cook County near Elgin, who died of brain cancer in 1996. Schultz's wife, Teresa, is the boy's cousin.
“It's one of those things that really keeps his memory alive,” Schultz said.
All of the money raised at the tournament will go to the Sean Toedman Memorial Fund, which will in turn donate the money to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.
The tournament is open to anyone 18 and older. Schultz hopes he has enough players to field a women's division, a men's championship division and a men's recreation division.
Last year's tournament attracted 28 teams and 300 spectators. It also raised nearly $4,000 for St. Jude, said Schultz, who lives in West Dundee.
This year, 24 men's teams and four women's teams have registered. Everyone is guaranteed at least three games and the winning teams get a prize.
The tournament will open with a rendition of the national anthem from the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township's choir and with Marianne Toedman, Sean's mother, leading a prayer.
Concessions will be available and there will be a three-point contest as well.
Even if you don't play basketball, there's still a place for you in the stands and at the raffles.
Among the raffle prizes are eight tickets to see the Chicago White Sox, golf for four at Randall Oaks Gold Club, gift baskets and restaurant gift cards.
The tournament starts at 11 a.m. Check-in begins at 10 a.m. The last day to register is June 16 and it costs $125 a team.
You can register online at www.eventbrite.com/org/3577384619 or by reaching out to Schultz via email at davidschultz45@gmail.com or by phone at (847) 269-0604.