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By Evelyn Maxey
The Social Justice Club hosts an annual wheelchair basketball game that raises money for veterans
In a world of negativity and animosity, light can be found in many things. Dexter High School has a new extracurricular addition which aims to provide support and acceptance to everyone in the community: The Social Justice Club.
“We aim to make our school and community a more equitable place by learning about, educating on, and acting on social issues,” said Ms. Hansen, a teacher coordinator for the club, “especially those affecting the most disadvantaged groups.”
With aims to make our school more open-minded, the Social Justice Club educates people on social issues, especially those involving disadvantaged groups. To raise awareness for one particular group, the they hosted a wheelchair basketball game between Army veterans and Navy veterans.
This event, that wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of the game’s founder Gerald Hoff, was all about creating a more inclusive environment for veterans.
“This is an event all about veterans,” Hoff said, “It raises awareness about disability issues while emphasizing ability.”
Many veterans are wounded from service, which can isolate them from the rest of the world. These wounds can cause both a physical and emotional divide for veterans; to lessen that divide, we can find ways to support them and their wounds. Wheelchair basketball is a fun twist on regular basketball in that the players go back and forth on the court via wheelchairs to cater to the disabilities.
This passion has spread from Hoff to many Michigan football players. Former Michigan Quarterback and Placeholder Garrett Moores, who is heavily involved in the games, won the NCAA Holder of the Year award during his fifth and final year. His involvement in the games prompted his decision to continue supporting the charity the former winner chose to support, and continue to support veterans.
Additionally, all profits from the game went to the Ann Arbor Veterans Hospital.
“We basically looked up a ton of veteran charities, local and national, and the club decided they wanted to do a local charity,” Hansen said.
On Saturday March 3rd, both Army and Navy veterans suited up for wheelchair basketball.
Although the Army won with a final score of 59-44, the game raised $1,051 which made this game was a slam dunk for both teams.
