TOMS RIVER, NJ – In an effort to raise money to support local philanthropic initiatives, a team of local educators and former local player athletes from Toms River, known as “Team Sario”, will compete against the famous Harlem Wizards on Nov. 18, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the RWJ Barnabas Arena. Doors open at 1pm with a meet & greet opportunity from 1:30 to 2:30 with five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, and your favorite local mascots including Jersey Shore BlueClaws Buster, Coke Cola Polar Bear, and Chick-fil-A Mr. Cow.
The money raised through the event will support three regional organizations:
- Dine on Us: supports New Jersey’s active military brothers and sisters who are living in poverty and struggling financially
- Sabrio Family: created in honor and support of local resident Karen Sario, who is bravely battling stage 4 bone cancer.
- Toms River Field of Dreams: an inclusive complex that intentionally addresses the physical and social inclusion of people of all ages and abilities.
Local businessmen Cliff Baker, Chris Kane and Artie Perez collaborated to create the event, along with support from local bottling company Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages and the Harlem Wizards. The entertaining, comical athletes are known for their decades of philanthropic work around education centered initiatives.
According to Cliff Baker, event co-founder and President of Dine on Us, “One thing we have all learned during our time playing basketball is that we are all teammates, and we are there for each other during the most high-pressure stressful point of the game, which is NOW!”
Attendees will be able to meet with the Harlem Wizard players before the game and the festivities will feature live entertainment, with a Zach Bryan concert ticket giveaway by Thunder 106 of Press Communications, LLC.
“I am blown away by the support of our community partners including Liberty Coca-Cola, Press Communications, Lester Glenn, and the NBA,” said Artie Perez, local businessman. “We would not be able to have this event without our community.”
At halftime, one lucky attendee will be selected and given the opportunity to make four baskets in 30 seconds (a layup, a foul shot, a three-point shot, and a half-court shot) to win a NEW Jeep Wrangler from Lester Glenn Auto.
Student discounted tickets are just $17 plus tax and General Admission tickets are just $20 plus tax, choose your school or program and they will receive $3.00 of each student ticket sold. Both are on sale now at DineOnUs.org or via this link: Toms River, NJ (pretix.eu). Doors open at 2 p.m. to the RWJ Barnabas Arena, located at 1245 Old Freehold Rd in Toms River, New Jersey.
About The Sario Family – Team Sario was created in honor and support of local resident Karen Sario, who is bravely battling stage 4 bone cancer. The treatments have already exceeded the insurance coverage and the Sario family is in dire need of this support!
About Dine On Us – Cliff Baker, a Navy Veteran, formed the 501c3, Dine On Us, to support New Jersey’s active military brothers and sisters who are living in poverty and struggling financially while stationed here. With the financial burden of just paying for living expenses in NJ without affordable housing or daycare, these active military families rarely if ever have an opportunity for a date night or family night out. That is where Dine on Us comes in, by providing gift cards for dining and entertainment for those that serve.
About Field of Dreams – This enormous sports complex offers the opportunity to those not otherwise physically or mentally able to participate in regular activities to join in on activities like basketball, baseball, swings, and a jungle gym.
