When it comes to fundraisers, especially ones involving sports, the Kiwanis Club of Salem has always thought outside of the box.

The organization’s two biggest fundraisers each year are the Roy Stanley Memorial Basketball Shootout, traditionally a winter event, and the Hidden Valley Country Club Golf Tournament, which takes place in April.

On Saturday, January 19, the Roanoke College Cregger Center was the site for the Basketball Shootout. Stanley, a well-respected WDBJ-7 sports anchor for over 30 years, lost his battle to cancer in 2002.

Growing up in Southwest Virginia, Roanoke County native Iman Stovall feverishly watched Roy on TV. “He was among the best I’ve ever seen in his field. I know I speak for a lot of people when I say that he is truly missed,” Stovall said.

Eight games, including teams from Charlotte and Durham, North Carolina, were on the ticket this year: Chilhowie vs. Covington, Western Albemarle vs. Parry McCluer (girls), Dudley High vs. Faith Christian (girls), Dudley High vs. Radford High, Olympic vs. Roanoke Catholic, Olympic High vs. William Fleming (girls), Hargrave High and William Fleming and Carlise School vs. Northside.

During the Fleming vs. Hargrave game, a moment happened that made attendee Claudine Awusah jump out of her seat. “Basketball is by far my favorite sport, so I pay attention to the small details. I lost my mind when Colonels player Jalen Crump scored on an acrobatic lay-up,” she said.

Paul Dotson, the current Kiwanis Club of Salem President, arrived at Roanoke College around 9:15 a.m. He, along with several other club members, handled ticket transactions, answered questions and directed teams to where they needed to go until the event concluded.

“The Kiwanis Club of Salem is dedicated to assisting children and our local community children’s programs,” Dotson said. “National Kiwanis speaks to the motto ‘Serving the children of the world.’ Our local statement is ‘Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers, dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.’”

Susan Mini, who is on the Board of Directors, says the Kiwanis Club of Salem sponsors several local charitable organizations. They include: Apple Ridge Farm, the Salem High School Key Club, the Girl Scouts, the 4-H Youth Organization, the Boy Scouts, the Challenger Little League, the Salem Christmas Parade, Snack Buddies for Salem Elementary Schools, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and providing college scholarships for high school students.

“This year we are taking on the entire planning of the Salem Christmas Parade. In the past, we assisted the Salem–Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce,” Mini said. “The chamber decided this year to turn it completely over to the Salem Kiwanis to put on. This should be an additional fundraiser for our organization.”

The Kiwanis Club of Salem is currently looking for new members to help carry out their mission. Interested individuals can attend a lunch meeting every Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. at the Salem Civic Center. Visit https://salemvakiwanis.com/community/ for more information.