UConn Men’s Basketball Makes Appearance at “Hats for Hope™” Winners, Middlebury Elementary

June 6, 2024

Middlebury Elementary School, winners of the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer "Hats for Hope™" Spring Fundraising Campaign, hosted members of the 2024 National Championship team, UConn Men's Basketball, on Friday, May 31 at 2 p.m. in their school's gymnasium.

Left: Tommy Fund team members attend UCONN's visit at MES. | Right: Players of UCONN Men's Basketball strike a pose with MES students.

MIDDLEBURY, CT: May 31, 2024: Players of the University of Connecticut’s Men's Basketball team visited Middlebury Elementary School on May 31 in partnership with the Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer to celebrate the school’s fundraising success of their 2024 “Hats for Hope™”.

Created by the Tommy Fund, “Hats for Hope™” (HFH) is an easy and fun fundraising campaign where Connecticut schools can help support children receiving cancer treatment at Smilow Cancer Hospital, Yale New Haven by wearing any hat of choice to school. For just one dollar or more per participant, schools across the state can make a big difference in a small way.

This spring, the Tommy Fund’s Spring HFH promotion allowed the highest participating fundraising school to receive a special appearance by the 2024 Championship UConn Men’s Basketball team at their school. In the end, Middlebury Elementary School (MES) took the win.

MES participated in a month-long campaign during March, showcasing different hat themed weeks to encourage their students and staff to continue to show up for the Tommy Fund. On April 1st, the school announced an astonishing fundraising total of $4,543.62 for the non-profit, winning the Spring 2024 HFH campaign contest.

Leigh Funderburk (left) and Tommy Fund Executive Director, Rebecca M Santoli (right) at Middlebury Elementary's assembly.

HFH ambassador, Leigh Funderburk, announced the grand total to the students at a school wide assembly, thanking everyone for their participation and support.

“Here at MES, we are incredibly excited to be the top fundraiser for the “Hats for Hope™” campaign,” says Funderbunk. “Our students, staff and MES families worked hard to raise funds to support children with cancer as well as their families. This cause was our mission for the month of March, however, a visit from players who won back to back championships is surely the icing on the cake!”

Students and faculty of MES participating in their HFH campaign

Middlebury welcomed several champions of the UConn Men’s Basketball team, including Hassan Diarra and Jaylin Stewart. Two new recruits, Aidan Mahoney and Tarris Reed, accompanied them.

The event began at 2 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium, and the players hosted a panel Q & A. Additionally, MES students had the opportunity to ask the players questions and pose for pictures.

The team’s efforts are supported by “Bleeding Blue for Good”, which according to the foundation’s website is the university's commitment to “recognize the accomplishments of UConn student-athletes by providing nation-leading Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities that support Connecticut charities”. The Tommy Fund and Bleeding Blue for Good partnered together in the 2023-2024 school year, and remain engaged year-round in the fight for childhood cancer throughout CT.

Button
Button
Button
Button
Button
Button

Check out some photos from the event!

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Mail

“NBC CT of Team Tommy Fund” - Featured Stories

June 14, 2024

Check out several stories on “NBC CT of Team Tommy Fund”, featuring Joseph Bowman, President Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer and “Bowen the Brave” of “Team Tommy Fund” at the “Closer to Free Ride on Sept 7th. To read the full article, check it out HERE!