Ozaukee County Guide

October 07, 2015

Ozaukee County Guide e-edition

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October 7, 2015 See Page 4 for Details October 10 Ozaukee Guide Recommends Island Hoops By Gary Achterberg News Graphic Staff MEQUON — A member of Homestead High School's boys basketball team is channeling his love for the game into a project he hopes will make a tangible difference in a community an ocean away. Garrett Mitman, a junior at HHS, went on a spring break trip this year with his family to Turks and Caicos, a chain of islands southeast of the Bahamas. While staying at a resort, he played a lot of basketball with his cousin, who lives in Massachusetts. His cousin's family left earlier. Mitman, 17, was doing a dribbling drill by himself on the resort's court when an employee of the resort approached him. The employee suggested Mitman might want to play off-site with his nephew and that boy's friends. There was a conversation about whether it was safe to venture off of the resort, but the worker quickly allayed any fears. Mitman packed his gym bag and ball and found the court. "I was kind of an outsider. I was getting some weird looks," he said. "But after we got going, I was just another one of the guys playing basketball. It was a great experience, and I went back night after night. "I wanted to find a way to give back," he said, adding he was happy to be embraced by the local players. "They just love the game." Mitman recently launched an effort to raise $25,000, which will resurface the court, fix a dangerous drop-off, replace both baskets, extend a fence, install some small bleachers and add lighting. He's put in $1,000 of his own money and has raised about $7,500 so far. He said much of the labor will be performed by local players and other volunteers, keeping the cost down. As he got involved with the project, Mitman learned that there is much more to the court than just a place to play basketball. He has been communicating by Skype and email with Nathalie Sweeting, a pastor at the Holy Ghost of Nazarene Church on the islands, who said the courts offer a great vehicle to keep local kids engaged and on a positive path. "I'm really happy that I got to meet her," said Mitman, the son of Doug and Terry Mitman. "She cares so much about the kids – and I want to help out." And this isn't just about an American kid raising money. His plans include an effort by more than a dozen athletes who use the court to raise money from a variety of events to pay for ongoing maintenance and other recurring costs, like paying the bill for the lights. For more local stories like this subscribe to the News Graphic. Cedarburg Fire Dept Safety Day 7259 Sleepy Hollow Rd. West Bend, WI 53090 (262) 334-1906 W63 N127 Washington Ave. Cedarburg, WI 53012 (262) 377-1906 246335001 Submitted photo Local boys play on a basketball court in the Turks and Caicos.A Mequon teen is raising money to refurbish the court. ■ Individuals can donate to Garrett Mitman's Island Hoops Project by going to the website, www.islandhoopsproject. org. Click on the "Donate Now" button. Donations are tax- deductible. ■ Mitman said he is eager to discuss his plans with anyone interested. Contact him at islandhoopsproject@gmail.com. To donate Mequon teen raising money to refurbish basketball court on Caribbean island Mitman Ozaukee Guide Extra Value See Page 8 & 9 For Details October is National Pizza Month Buy two 7 " subs & a side * , get a 7 " sub FREE! GRAFTON 442 Falls Rd. • Ph 262-375-3939 PORT WASHINGTON 101 E. Grand Ave. • Ph 262-268-9803 *Side items include chips, drink & soup. FREE SUB Valid only at locations listed. Not valid with any other coupon or discount. Max value one free sub. Free sub will be lowest retail value of subs ordered. Not valid with online orders. Sub sizes are approximate. Valid thru 12/31/15. PNS COUSINSSUBS.COM GRAFTON 442 Falls Road Ph 262-375-3939 PORT WASHINGTON 101 E. Grand Ave. Ph 262-268-9803 246563001

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