2024 Student-Faculty Basketball Game Raises $1,916.25 for the Pittsburgh Food Bank

Congratulations to the four finalists whose argumentative charity essays were on display.  All were well-written and very effective.  The decision was a tough one, and the voting was close.

Ellie Blanton wrote for Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network.

Isla Gentzel wrote for the National Park Foundation.

Brooks Kaminski wrote for the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Allegra Synowiec wrote for The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank..

We congratulate them on their hard work and their well-written essays.

Thanks to all staff members and students who took the time to read the essays and cast their vote.  We tallied 151 votes! 

The money from this year's student-faculty basketball game will go to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank!  Congratulations!  The real winner, of course, is the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.  According to Allegra’s paper, “the food bank provides healthy meals and helps kids our age who have food insecurity.” Jefferson Middle School will donate the $1,916.25 raised at this year’s Student-Faculty Basketball Game to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank because as Allegra wrote, “it serves 35,790 people monthly and is actively fighting to lower the amount of people without food.”  Thanks to Allegra’s paper, we are trying to help them do just that.

This year marks the 20th Student-Faculty Basketball Game. The record from these games is 16-4 in favor of the JMS faculty. 

Over the years, this game has raised $30,393.57 for the following charities:

• 2023: Greenpeace ($2,135.25)
• 2019: Jeremiah’s Place ($1,165.65)
• 2018: Special Olympics ($981.00)
• 2017: To Write Love On Her Arms ($1,727.10)
• 2016: Girl Rising ($2,147.35)
• 2015: Miracle League ($1,852.70)
• 2014: World Wildlife Fund ($1,604.95)
• 2013: Make-a-Wish Foundation ($1,886)
• 2012: Wounded Warrior Project ($1,864.77)
• 2011:  Invisible Children ($1,869.50)
• 2010:  American Cancer Society ($1,742.64)
• 2009:  Animal Friends ($2,341.91)
• 2008:  Susan G. Komen for the Cure ($2,250)
• 2007:  Make-a-Wish Foundation ($2,380)
• 2006:  Catholic Charities ($2,200)
• 2005:  Red Cross ($2,000)
• 2004:  Amy’s Army (for former JMS student Amy Katz) ($1,000)
• 2003:  Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ($880)
• 2002:  TJMS We Care Fund (supported post-9/11 charities) ($500)