Bernie, Missouri - There is one great thing to be said about coming from a small town. Everyone knows you and everyone cares for each other. There is closeness and a shared energy of togetherness that small communities have that can’t compare to living in the big city. Once a Bernie Mules forever a Bernie Mule!
Bernie families came out in force a few weeks ago to honor and raise money for former Bernie Mule basketball athlete and graduate, Shawn Green. So many people cooked, cleaned, and raised money with a silent auction, bake sale, and other countless ways they volunteered to make January 22nd a very special night to remember.
Shawn suffers from a rare brain cancer and though he continues to fight daily, so much of his treatment is not covered by his standard health insurance, but he is more determined than ever to beat this.
“The final fundraising total for the Hoops for Hope event benefiting Shawn Green was $22,955.56,” commented head basketball coach Brad Botch. “The event was a tremendous success and so many people helped out for such a great cause!”
Approximately $2,200 was raised for Avery’s education fund as well. “Thank you to everyone who donated and made this such a memorable and successful event,” continued Botsch.
“My family has had a few weeks to think about what truly transpired on January 22, 2016,” commented Shane Green, brother to Shawn. “And we still can’t quite fathom all of it. The amount of time, energy, effort, generosity, and compromising that went into planning the event was truly remarkable.”
“It was supposed to be Homecoming night and the administration chose to move it to a later date, the fish fry in the cafeteria was all donations, the decorating the gym with the signs, old newspaper articles (that really made Shawn and I smile because of all the great memories), the silent auction, Avery’s education fund AND the countless number of people who volunteered their time to make the night truly special for our family and especially Shawn was unbelievable!”
“Erin and I can’t thank all of you enough as we will be forever grateful,” Shane Green.
If anyone still wants to donate to the Hoops for Hope account benefiting Shawn Green, it will remain open at the Bank of Advance in Dexter. You can mail or drop by your donation to that location at 1428 W. Business US Highway 60, Dexter, MO 63841 or you can call the bank at (573) 624-1500.
Photo credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times manager/editor. Pictured from left to right are Coach Josh Long, Erin Green, Shawn Green, and Shane Green at the presentation of the game ball and high school basketball photo both brothers played on.
