February 2, 2010 An overflow field of 33 teams, comprised of area businesses, families and friends, participated in Maine's longest running benefit basketball tournament of its kind and raised $25,000 for children with cancer and their families. The 16th Annual Swish-Out Childhood Cancer Challenge, presented and coordinated by Maine's credit unions, took place on Sunday, January 31, 2010, at USM in Gorham, and raised more than $25,000 for the Maine Children's Cancer Program, the third straight year the event has raised at least $25,000. The tournament field was comprised of thirty-three, co-ed teams of adults from organizations, businesses and families from around southern and central Maine. Since the tournament began in 1994, the event has now raised more than $173,000 for the Maine Children's Cancer Program and the 2010 event was the third straight year it raised at least $25,000.
On the court, history was made as V-Tec Learning Center of South Portland, became the first four-time winner of the tournament. Runner-up at this year's event was Wright Express of South Portland. Hoop Dreams of Gray finished third, while Weekend Warriors of Portland, rounded out the top four. The top four participants received plaques and all teams received t-shirts and other prizes for participating.
Tournament founder and director, Jon Paradise, Governmental & Public Affairs Manager for the Maine Credit Union League, said the event is "proof of what can be accomplished as a community. From the participants and the sponsors to the spectators and volunteers, the success of this event is directly related to the people who take the time to support it. It is so rewarding to see the number of teams that return year after year because of their experience and the cause. Some of the participants have personal connections to the Maine Children's Cancer Program, which is a powerful reminder to everyone about why we do it year after year," stated Paradise.
Paradise, who added his father's name to the event after he passed away in July 2004, said that the event was founded for one simple reason - to help kids with cancer and their families, and that remains the case today, sixteen years later. "In 1994, we started with seven teams and raised a little over $500 and, now, we have a full field each year of 32 teams, a record number of sponsors and we raised nearly $25,000 in funds again this year, despite the economy. While we have come a long way in the amount raised, the tournament remains based on the credit union philosophy of 'people helping people' and the generosity and desire to help others."
Paradise said that, because of the support of Maine's credit unions with the event, every dollar raised from sponsors, teams and the silent auction goes right to the cause. He emphasized that all expenses are covered by Maine's credit unions so 100% of funds raised can go directly to the Program, a fact that is almost unheard of for most fundraising events.
In addition to the Maine Credit Union League, the lead sponsors for this year's event were: Walmart, Hannaford Supermarkets, Wright Express, Martin's Point Healthcare, National Semiconductor, Time Warner Cable, WPOR 101.9 Radio and TRICORP Federal Credit Union. Other significant sponsors included: Casco Federal Credit Union, CUNA Mutual, Insurance Trust, Kohls,, The Portland Pirates, The Portland Sea Dogs, University Credit Union and the University of Southern Maine. A number of other local businesses participated as sponsors at various levels, as well.
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