The Collinsville High School girls basketball team is thinking about more than just winning a basketball game on Dec. 21, they are also going all out to raise money for charity.

Photo by Roger Starkey

Multiple fund raising activities are taking place before and during the game, with proceeds to benefit KAHOKstrong, a CHS organization dedicated to helping Unit 10 families in need. The team, their booster club, KAHOKstrong members and even their opponent Saturday, Breese Mater Dei, are selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a 50-inch television, an iPad or a cash prize.

During the game, being dubbed “Pink Out,” Junior Kahoks members will sell raffle tickets and 50/50 tickets. KAHOKstrong will sell their t-shirts and a half-time shooting contest will be held for a chance to win a gift card. Unit 10 will donate 50 percent of the gate receipts from the game to KAHOKstrong. MOW printing, of Collinsville, donated the raffle tickets.

The Lady Kahoks do a community event each year, Head Coach Lori Billy said. “The people in this town need to know that these girls are amazing. Unfortunately they only get to see them on a basketball court, but these girls are active in school, active in the community and I just want the public to know just how important they are to this community,” Billy said.

KAHOKstrong was chosen as the recipient of the Lady Kahoks charitable efforts this year because of their history supporting members of the Unit 10 community dealing with cancer. “My mom is a three time breast cancer survivor, so it’s a real close subject to me,” Billy said.

Both teams will wear pink t-shirts during warm-ups and, pending official approval, a pink ball will be used during the game. Area cancer survivors will be brought onto the court during a halftime ceremony.

The game is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 in Fletcher Gym. Anyone interested in purchasing raffle tickets before the game can contact a member of the girls basketball team or KAHOKstrong at Collinsville High School.