April 20, 2007

South Saigon International School Students Hold Basketball Charity Event to Raise Money for Sick Children

Students from Saigon South International School (SSIS) held the first-ever “Hoops for Hearts” basketball shootout contest on April 9-11 to raise funds for the East Meets West Foundation’s (EMW) Operation Healthy Heart (OHH) program. More than $4,000 was raised by the school’s students and will go towards funding heart surgeries for poor Vietnamese children. 

The event, which was organized by Ms. Sheryl Kirkey and was assisted by Mr. Thomas Gray—both 4th grade teachers at SSIS—had an original goal of raising $1,000.  Starting mid-March, students in grades 3-5 were encouraged to collect pledges based on the amount of basketball shots made by that particular student.  Approximately 120 students gathered pledges and participated in the “Hoops for Hearts” shootout at the SSIS gymnasium.

The event brought in more than $4,000 USD, and the top three fundraisers were Brian Bradley, Madison Briggs, and Kim Sa Ngo.  These students will receive special prizes and gifts from EMW and the SSIS for their tremendous efforts at a special school assembly on Friday, April 20.

“I was moved by the plight of poor Vietnamese children who were dying because they couldn’t afford routine heart surgery, and I wanted to give these wonderful SSIS students an opportunity to be philanthropic and to understand that it is privilege and honor to reach out and help others,” said Ms. Kirkey.  “’Hoops for Hearts’ is perfect because it gives the kids a fun way to be involved in the community, while helping to save the lives of Vietnamese children, many of whom are the same age as the SSIS students. I am so proud of these young people!”

About the Saigon South International School
Saigon South International School (SSIS) is first and only not-for-profit international college preparatory school in Ho Chi Minh City.  Located in District 7, the school’s headmaster is Mr. Gary Keener and the elementary school principal is Ms. Mary Lower. SSIS focuses its education around its Core Values: Academic excellence, sense of self, dedicated service, balance in life, and respect for all.  The school is committed to the intellectual and personal development of each student in preparation for a purposeful life as a global citizen.

For more info
Contact Laura Ward at laura@eastmeetswest.org or call 1-800-561-3378.