On Thursday, January 30, basketball teams from the two local high schools in Orange City met in competition, but it was also an opportunity to come together to help the community through the annual Reach Out event. Reach Out allows students from both MOC-Floyd Valley and Unity Christian High School to work together to make a difference for local families in need.
The annual Reach Out event has raised over $70,000 and helped over 650 families since its inception ten years ago.
Students from both schools planned a silent auction, working with local businesses to secure donations for the event. All funds raised through the silent auction, as well as t-shirt sales, are given back to local families dealing with serious illnesses. The funds are primarily used to help pay for gas or groceries in the hopes of off-setting expenses for families.
The event received a positive community response, especially from those that have benefited directly from Reach Out:
“As recipients of Reach Out we want to let you know how much we appreciate you and what you have done! Those gift cards along with words of encouragement meant the world to my husband and me. … It was not just the monetary part of the gift cards but also the idea that people cared and wanted to let us know they were thinking about us. People just don’t know what that it is the LITTLE acts of kindness that mean the WORLD to people when they are in serious situations and feel so very helpless. Thank you and God bless you for making a difference!”
