Fundraising keeps Bend boys’ basketball team in the game

A traveling boys’ basketball team, Bend United, is on its way to the state championship. It’s an opportunity the boys could have missed — not because of their lack of skills, but due to a lack of dollars. But what started as a small fundraiser turned into something no one ever thought possible.

In one month, the team raised more than $13,000. Now the boys are on their way to several tournaments, including the state championship.

The eighth-graders have been playing as a team for four years- and are playing so well together they now have chances to compete on the road.

“We’ve gotten a lot better in the local area, so we’re able to move on to bigger, better competition,” 14-year-old Tristan Freeling said Wednesday evening.

However, with higher levels of competition come bigger financial burdens. Things like traveling, additional training and tournament fees can add up to an extra $3,000 per player.

“When you go into it, and it’s going to be a four-month (season) and you’re going over to all these different venues around Oregon, it’s very expensive, and you definitely have a little stress going on,” said parent Rick Amado.

The team knew it would have to start fundraising if the boys wanted to continue to the state championship. One of the boys came across a website called FlipGive, where online shopping raises money for causes. Soon, the dollars came pouring in.

“It is amazing! The community has stepped up; friends and family have stepped up-; local, non-local,” said parent Brenda Chastain.

“We all have connections outside, you know, family outside of Bend. These kids, what they’ve done is amazing over the last four years-, and everyone has been watching them and wants to support them.”

FlipGive was also holding a challenge-:The organizations that raised the most would win additional money. Bend United took top honors.

“It’s pretty mind-blowing, and very humbling,” said team coach Brian Rosenzweig. “And what started out as just a group of kids that had been playing together since fourth grade and wanted to take it to another level has now turned into something with a very large network of support and a fundraising story that none of us will ever forget.”

After the team raised more than $7,500, the website kicked in $5,000 — and then Nike put another $1,000 in the pot.

The team has several tournaments on the horizon, including the state championships.

If you want to support the team, go to www.flipgive.com and search for Bend United.