Sudbury basketball fans are in for some fun and entertainment on Nov. 5 for the Pros Versus Joes fundraiser at Sudbury Arena.
Local marketing firm Social Rise Inc. is co-presenting the fundraiser with Athletic Therapy Plus and Tristan Ritchie Real Estate, all of Sudbury.
It will be a benefit basketball game featuring The Sudbury Five.
Connor LaRocque of Social Rise said the event is in support of local children's charities, which includes the NEO Kids Children's Treatment Centre at Health Sciences North, the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC), the Sudbury Manitoulin Children's Foundation - The Human League Association of Sudbury and The United Way Centraide North East Ontario.
LaRocque said that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many fundraising events that were canceled or delayed. He said the basketball game would be a great event for Sudbury on a Saturday night. LaRocque said too many people have been stuck in the house with limited options on what they could do for the community.
"We're going to engage the whole city with a good vibe, with lots of good energy," said Larocque. "It's entertainment. It's charity."
As for the players, LaRocque said the roster would include a list of some high-profile Sudbury citizens and he said the full roster would be released in the coming weeks.
"We're going to have local well-known community members playing against The Five, who are really good professional players." said LaRocque
A social media posting indicated that close to 1,000 tickets had already been sold. Tickets can be purchased online.
LaRocque said the event will also feature a highly entertaining halftime show that the crowd will appreciate. He added the event will bring the community together to help out the charities, showcase some excellent sports and provide a good time for the spectators.
"Everybody wins," said LaRocque.
