Harlem Ambassadors to play at RCHS Wednesday

October 1, 2013 Editor featured

by Angie Asam–Staff Writer

The Rogers City High School (RCHS) Class of 1994 is preparing to celebrate its 20^th class reunion. In preparation for that event they are doing something special, paying it forward if you wish, as they are going to bring the Harlem Ambassadors to town on Oct. 2 and all proceeds from the game will go directly to Rogers City Area Schools (RCAS) and be earmarked on a project of the classes choice.

The class wanted to do something community oriented and with schools struggling for funding and many of the graduates having children in the school system now they picked up the idea to bring the Harlem Ambassadors to town as a fundraiser event.

Members of the class have put out money from their own pockets to secure the date and get the deposit down. They are now out asking local organizations and businesses to help in sponsoring the event by sponsoring a quarter in the game or a player. The Harlem Ambassadors will play against a team of RCHS alumni from across the years, the team will be announced at a later date.

Advance tickets are on sale right now through members of the Class of 1994 and will be available at home RCHS athletic events by finding athletic director Dave O’Bryant. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Presque Isle Advance office. The class is still working on finding other places the tickets will be available for sale. They will sell 1,000 tickets and hope to raise at least $10,000 for the school through the project.

An autographed game ball will be raffled off at the event and there will be 50/50 raffles as well. The Harlem Ambassadors will also do a pep assembly for the students of RCHS, Rogers City Elementary, St. John Lutheran School and St. Ignatius Catholic School during the day Oct. 2 from 1-2 p.m.

A team booth with shirt and memorabilia sales for the Harlem Ambassadors will also be on hand. If the booth makes more than $300 worth of sales, 10 percent of the proceeds will be given back to RCAS as well.

>Anyone wishing to donate or participate in the event can do so by contacting Bridget LaLonde at (989) 351-9502 or Eric Muller at 734-0436. More information on this event is to follow as the date draws nearer. The Class of 1994 is hopeful this will spark other alumni of RCHS to get involved and help give back to the school.

It is a community event designed to bring the community together while raising money for the school, which has seen a cut in funding over the last several years. The Class of 1994 will be voting on where the proceeds should go whether it be to transportation, athletics, technology, etc.

The mission of the Harlem Ambassadors is to deliver a quality basketball show to audiences throughout the United States and internationally. The show is designed to be fun for all ages, with youngsters being awed for the first time and older folks enjoying the tried-and-true gags like a rerun of a favorite comedy movie.