More than a hundred generous people took their shots on TD Garden’s parquet floor last Monday evening (Oct. 6) as part of Action for Boston Community Development’s (ABCD) 14th annual Hoop Dreams event.
Corporate donors pledged $10,000 each to compete in half-court games on the Celtics home court with teams comprising local teens and volunteers.
“This is such a fun event,” said ABCD president and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler of the fundraiser that supports youth programs, including SummerWorks, WorkSMART, Level Up, and Career Explorations. “It began about 14 years ago as a sort of brainchild of [former Celtics coach] Doc Rivers and one of our former staff, Bob Elias, and [Boston Globe sportswriter] Bob Ryan, to really get teams together play – and support – mostly our youth programs.”
This year’s tournament also celebrated the impact of women in basketball with special guests Jennifer Rizzotti, president of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, and Sun forwards Aaliyah Edwards and Aneesah Morrow, who supported the players from courtside.
Throughout the night, they watched teams Wayfair, Vertex, SweatHouze, DeWitt Dawgs (MPDC), BCH Basketball Club, You Got It Girl, Still Got It Athlete, and Team ABCD battle to the final buzzer.
“I’m a born and raised Dorchester kid,” said Jammy Torres Millet, who played on the You Got It Girl squad. “ABCD has been a very transformative organization in my life personally. I grew up through their job training program, so I take great pride in participating in this event.”
She added: “A lot of people here tonight may be hearing about ABCD for the first time, so I think it increases awareness and the great work they do and continue to do.”
Team ABCD players inclued Amanda O’Lear and Axel Cruz, who work for the organization.
“A big part of what I do is help with our fundraising,” said O’Lear, who works in planning and grants department. “This is one of the events we talk about all year. I was already going to come and spectate, so why not come and play, help out, and get to be more a part of it than sitting in my office?”
She joked: “My basketball career now is a year in high school and a day at TD Garden, baby. Can’t be better than that.”
Cruz, who hit a few three-pointers throughout the night, said playing on the court was “surreal.”
Scott-Chandler offered a summary of the night. “Everyone coming together for a good cause and having fun at the same time, I think that’s really what this event tries to do. When you can do it and do good doing it, that’s a great thing.”