Hoops of Hope

Statistics show that every four hours 1,000 children are orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

In an effort to help provide families with the proper resources for a healthy life, locals are participating in Hoops of Hope at the Zanesville High School. Each free throw represents a child in need.

"By building awareness here, sharing our blessings, sharing the wealth that we have compared to what they have, a little bit goes a long way," said Coordinator Megan Schreiber.

The national non-profit organization started in 2004 by 10-year-old Austin Gutwein. Schreiber said the events proceeds will be used for a number of projects including drilling water wells in remote areas of the country.

"Sometimes their water is the same water in which their animals bathe in, they bathe in, they wash what little clothes and materials they have, they wash in that same water and so they are drinking that water and one of the goals is to get them fresh water," she said.

Hoops of Hope shoot-a-thons have funded the building of a high school for 1,000 students, two medical labs, a counseling center, and a water project in Kenya.