Free-throw contest benefits Leo Center
Event helped raise money for new program to help uninsured diabetes patients
Published on Mon., April 23rd, 2007
Nearly one hundred people participated in a free-throw contest organized by Christian Moody last weekend at the Lawrence Community Building, 115 W. 11th St. The event benefited the Leo Center, One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 100, where Moody serves as the development director.
Luke Henry, Lawrence junior, shoots a free throw at the Leo Center's Free Throw Competition, featuring Christian Moody. The event raised money to benefit a diabetes fund.
Photo by Sarah Leonard
Joe Reitz, chief executive officer of the Leo Center, said the proceeds would go to a new program to help uninsured diabetes patients. The program is designed to treat the center’s 150-plus patients that suffer from diabetes by providing healthy food, test strips to gauge their blood sugar levels and opportunities for regular exercise.
Reitz said the program cost $80,000 for the first year. Two grants awarded to the medical clinic cover $17,500 of the cost, and Reitz said he would continue to apply for more. At $20 an entrant, the free-throw contest raised about $2,000 for the program.
Reitz said diabetes care for uninsured patients was an issue in need of attention.
“If you’re a person that’s living on the street, it’s hard enough to live, let alone manage your diabetes,” he said.
Moody, former Kansas basketball player Brett Olson and current walk-on sophomore Matt Kleinmann signed autographs for attendees.
Participants competed in six age groups, shooting 25 free throws each on Saturday. The top five shooters from each age group advanced to the finals on Sunday. Most contestants who advanced made at least 20 of their attempts. Adam Hall, a 17-year-old Olathe North junior, won the overall title, sinking all 25 free throws. Hall heard about the event through a Facebook event invitation Moody sent to him.
Luke Henry, Lawrence junior, advanced to the finals in the 18-25 age group, hitting 37 of his 50 shots in the competition.
Anything basketball, I’m there.
-Luke Henry, Lawrence junior
Henry said he attended the event because of the worthy cause and for his personal love of the game.
“Anything basketball, I’m there,” he said.
Reitz said the Leo Center would continue to hold fundraisers to raise money for the diabetes program.
Kansan staff writer Kyle Carter can be contacted at kcarter@kansan.com.
— Edited by Katie Sullivan
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