Two local high school students are changing the game—on and off the court.
Zach Kirschner and Jake Friedland, juniors from Scarsdale, NY, are making a positive impact through their nonprofit organization, Hoops for Change. They combine their passion for basketball with a commitment to philanthropy, using the sport to support charitable causes and raise awareness about important social issues.
Lara Damashek, Jake Friedland, Zachary Kirschner, Christine Lai. Contributed photo
On Saturday, March 8, Hoops for Change hosted a “March Madness” basketball tournament at Greenwich Country Day School, successfully raising $1,750 for the Special Education Legal Fund (S.E.L.F.).
With enthusiastic support from the Greenwich Country Day community, students and parents came together to participate in a lively tournament. “This Hoops for Change event cultivated a vibrant spirit of generosity and unity among participants, making it not just a competition, but a celebration of togetherness and goodwill,” said Lara Damashek, Board Chair of S.E.L.F., who served as an advisor for the fundraiser.
Christine Lai, Co-Founder and Executive Director of S.E.L.F., praised the efforts of the teens. “At S.E.L.F., we aim to create equal opportunities for families in need with children in the special education system. What Zach and Jake are doing by bringing together kids on the court to raise awareness is a perfect example of positive advocacy!”
Hoops for Change empowers teenagers to organize charitable tournaments. From securing venues and promoting events to managing registrations and collecting donations, Zach and Jake are not only raising funds but also educating their peers about important causes. Their dedicated efforts foster a spirit of generosity and unity within their local community.
This tournament was the fifth fundraiser organized by the duo. They discovered their passion for giving back when they hosted their first tournament to support those facing challenges following the events of October 7. Inspired by this experience, they decided to continue organizing charity basketball tournaments and their successful events have motivated them to keep supporting causes that are meaningful to them. To date, they have raised nearly $6,000 for various organizations, including S.E.L.F., Backyard Sports Cares, IDF Brothers for Life, Soles4Souls (through donated shoes), and Altadena Boys, to support relief efforts for the recent California fires.
Special Education Legal Fund (S.E.L.F.) was founded in 2018 to level the playing field for families in need with children in the special education system. S.E.L.F. provides resources, knowledge, and support to parents, guardians, and self-advocates to facilitate the successful navigation of the special education process. Since 2018, S.E.L.F. has provided over $1.2 million in direct support grants to hundreds of families requiring special education legal or advocacy support. In addition, S.E.L.F. has supported thousands of families through the Parent Education Program, which provides free informational resources to families on special education topics.