The “BYC Madness” fundraiser netted about $55,000 Friday, up almost $10,000 from last year’s effort. The event began at 5:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel Theater with a pregame tailgate. Around 7 p.m., introductions were given by Baker Youth Club Executive Director Tracy Furnivall and referee Matt Niemier. “We’re here to raise some money,” Niemier said. “Three hundred twenty kids are served a night (by BYC programs) and that’s not done on a free budget.” The main event featured high school and middle school basketball players shooting for the most free throws in a one-minute period. Bidders pledged anywhere from $5 to $20 per shot made. The first quarter featured Maddie Ryman, 7th grader at Edgewood Middle School, making 17 shots and Emily Peterson, 7th grader at Lakeview Middle School, making 13. The second quarter featured Jack Tucker, 8th grader at Edgewood Middle School, making 20 shots and Ross Johnson, 8th grader at Lakeview Middle School, making 13. The third quarter saw Elizabeth Jackson, junior at Wawasee High School, making 14 shots and Madi Graham, freshman at Warsaw High School, sinking 17. The fourth quarter featured Alex Clark, junior at Wawasee High School, making 25 shots and Nate Pearl, senior at Warsaw High School, also making 25. Between each quarter, the club auctioned off items including a one-week stay at Marco Island, an America’s Cup yacht sailing experience in San Francisco, a Napa Valley back roads and railroads wine trip in San Francisco, Indianapolis Colts suite tickets, a golf cart and a designer necklace. Bidders paid between $475 and $7,000 for auction items. The $55,000 raised Friday night will go to supporting BYC’s after-school and summer programs. “This organization is growing,” Niemier said, “and its growing because there is a need in our community.” Overall, Program Director Tamara Drake said this year’s event was a total success and had at least the crowd it did last year. “It went really well,” she said. “People enjoyed themselves and the crowd was really interactive.” To learn more about BYC programs, visit www.bakeryouthclub.com or call 574-267-8771.
