Local celebs team up with athletes for adaptive sports benefit

HOPKINS, Minn. — For the second year, local celebrities will take on local athletes to raise money for adaptive sports.

“What we’re trying to do is raise awareness first and foremost,” Winning Pathways Chairperson Todd Hedtke said.

Winning Pathways is a nonprofit focused on helping children with disabilities. It is putting on an event called Rising Stars II, the second year of a charity basketball game to generate funds to create a scholarship program and purchase equipment like sports wheelchairs, which can cost up to $10,000. 

“Adaptive sports in particular does not have as well-known a reputation as much visibility as a lot of other versions of sports,” Hedtke said.

Last year, Hedtke said Rising Stars raised about $60,000. He hopes to elevate the revenue with a target of $100,000 this year. The charity basketball game will be followed by an exhibition game by a basketball entertainment group called the Harlem Wizards.

Rising Stars II will be at 5 p.m. at the Royals Athletic Center on May 3. The Royals Athletic Center is connected to Hopkins High School. If you want to buy tickets, click here.

Hedtke said doors open at 4p.m. when Winning Pathways will also host an Inclusivity Center where people can try out what it’s like to play basketball in a wheelchair.

“When people get in the chair and then they try to just wheel once or twice, then the reality hits them,” Hedtke said.