Schools

FUNraiser: Harlem Wizards Play for Sold Out Greeley Crowd

More than 1,000 reported in turnout for Chappaqua School Foundation's annual event.

An excited crowd packed the gym Sunday at to watch the Harlem Wizards make their annual stop in Chappaqua.

The event was reportedly sold out and attracted about 1,000 to the gym, according to organizers. Folks came to see the comedic basketball team take on the Chappaqua Challengers, an opponent made up of the Chappaqua teachers and prinicipals.

Part basketball game and part comedy, the event was interpersed with slam dunks, layups and humorous skits.

Find out what's happening in Chappaqua-Mount Kiscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Arthur Lewis, Jr., who goes by "King Arthur" on the court, described it as a great event for the community and something that everybody can come to.

The Wizards made community interaction a big part of their act, with players popping up in the audience, dancing around with people and doing contests at the half.

Find out what's happening in Chappaqua-Mount Kiscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Howard and Sandra Benjamin, who came up from Manhattan to visit family in Chappaqua, found this out first hand. The two were brought on court to dance with Dwayne Simpson, better known as "Swoop."

"It's great," said Howard Benjamin, who said he didn't expect it.

The annual appearance of the Wizards is among the biggest fundraising events for the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF), which raises money that it gives out in grants to support programs not covered by the Chappaqua school district budget.

Michael Kaufman, president of the CSF, said it was cool to host the event, talking about its connection to the community.

The CSF, which just ended its grant acceptance period, will announce grants for the 2012-13 school year in March, Kaufman said. The next big event for the foundation is its annual fundraiser on April 27 at 7 p.m., at in Briarcliff Manor.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here