Heidi Schwichtenberg has always loved sports. She began playing basketball as an elementary student in the Kimball school district. She achieved many personal bests and set school records along the way. During her tenure at KAHS, Schwichtenberg was one of the first to earn 1,000 career points at the school. After high school graduation in 1995, Schwichtenberg played ball while attending the College of St. Benedict. When she graduated with her liberal arts degree, she still wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life. Her love for sports remained strong and she continued officiating for high school games. She also decided to pursue her graduate degree at St. Cloud State University (SCSU). It was during her coursework at SCSU that she found her purpose in life. For one of her courses she was required to complete a practicum. She decided to volunteer at the Courage Center which works with disabled people of all ages. Being the athlete she is and following her interest in basketball, Schwichtenberg chose to work with the wheelchair basketball program. She describes the opportunity as a “life-altering experience.” Mixing work with play As Schwichtenberg volunteered at the Courage Center, she got to know the disabled players whom she was refereeing. “The players shared with me how the lack of funding and extreme costs prevent some individuals from playing as they cannot afford it,” Schwichtenberg said. This is when it hit her. She knew that she could organize a fundraiser to help purchase wheelchairs for these players. And she has gone all out. Pulling it all together Beginning in April of this year, Schwichtenberg has been organizing and developing an event to raise significant funds for the players. She has worked alone on the event and is the sole organizer. Schwichtenberg has spent many hours calling for donations and has a list of more than 100 individuals and 100 businesses who have donated over $20,000 in prizes. She has also put together a carnival of games, including sumo wrestling, a dunk tank and an inflatable basketball moonwalk. “I really wanted to make this big,” Schwichtenberg said. All of her effort is focused on the athletes. “To see a kid in a wheelchair shoot a basket and have a perma-smile because of it, to me that is priceless.” “They have every reason to feel sorry for themselves, but they just don’t and that inspires me to help them out.” Wheelchair basketball After refereeing local basketball games, Schwichtenberg called area coaches and asked them to recommend players to participate in the event. Collec-tively, 20-25 high school athletes will be featured in the event, along with many college players. Kimball representatives are KAHS seniors Amelia Hentges and Preston Looman. “High school and college players will play 8-10 minute rounds in wheelchairs [against disabled players from across the state],” Schwichtenberg explained. During halftime, the Animal Inn Flyball Racing teams will entertain the audience. This group frequently performs during Minnesota Timberwolves games. Schwichtenberg explained that she saw this group perform at the games. She contacted them and asked if they would be part of this event. Schwichtenberg explained that she saw this group perform at the games. She contacted them and asked if they would be part of this event. “They are really happy to come,” Schwichtenberg said. The second half of the game will be an all-star portion. The best Minnesota wheelchair basketball teams will face current and former college players, also playing in wheelchairs. Schwichtenberg explained that this will give community members a chance to see the skills and talents of disabled athletes. She also hopes it will be a learning opportunity for people in the community. “The exhibition can educate people, especially children,” Schwichtenberg said. “It can show that individuals with disabilities may look a little different, but they are the same.” The exhibit also features Ted Brown, a legally blind man who will perform and sing, and Minnesota Timberwolves mascot “Crunch.” Cracker Jacks drum line will perform pre-game entertainment. North Country deejay service will provide music during the event. There may also be an appearance by a pro-athlete or two. All for courage Some of the money raised at the event will be used for the Courage Center’s wheelchair basketball teams. It will be used for the center’s yearly travel expenditures of players and to purchase athletic wheelchairs. Sharon Vanwinkel, director of the Courage Center sports and recreation, explained, “The Courage Center has been around for 75 years. We are a rehabilitation and independent living center [for people with disabilities].” The center works with people who were born disabled or who have acquired their disability through an automobile accident or other cause. “These people come to the Courage Center to gain skills so they can live independent lives. We teach them how to do housework, dress and get into a car,” Vanwinkel said. The center has many different components for their clients, including a department for physical and recreation activities, the center is known for its top notch athletes. “Our teams travel throughout the nation,” explained Vanwinkel. “We encourage our athletes to go on with their sports and make it more than just a recreational activity.” The center provides opportunities for downhill snow skiing, swimming, water skiing, martial arts, sailing and dog sledding. “We are really committed to providing great sports activities,” Vanwinkel said. The center has more than 2,500 volunteers, 500 of whom are involved with sports and recreation. The center’s funding comes from fundraisers, the United Way and fees-for-services. While others have helped with different fundraisers, Schwichtenberg has organized one of the most elaborate. “Heidi has been extraordinarily ambitious,” Vanwinkel said. “She really is amazing.” Vanwinkel explained that the event coming to Kimball will expand the Courage Center’s reach into the Kimball and St. Cloud area. While the center has athletes from throughout the state, they have never really fundraised in this area. “I think that it is really important [to come to this area] so people can see the phenomenal athletes we have,” Vanwinkel said. The wheelchair basketball event will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Kimball Area High School gym. The carnival will take place from 1:30-7 p.m. outside of the school. Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $3 for students in grades K-12, and children under 5 will be free. Tickets can be purchased at Main Street Pub in Kimball or by contacting Schwichtenberg. Grand prizes for the raffle include a six-day/five-night trip for two to Cancun; a four-day/three-night trip for four to Orlando, Fla. including lodging and airfare; a queen-sized water bed frame and chest of drawers (valued at $1,400); and a 30-inch digital television ($1,000). Tickets for the raffle sell for $2 each, or $10 for a book of five. In addition to benefiting the Courage Center, proceeds from the event will help form a St. Cloud area wheelchair basketball team, and will benefit current Minnesota teams. Schwichtenberg hopes the event will go over well. “My dad said he thought we would raise about $10,000, but that is only about 3 or 4 wheelchairs. I would like to do more. My goal is to raise $50,000. I really want to make a difference.” For more information on any of the events, or to join the new wheelchair basketball team, contact Heidi Schwichtenberg at (763) 350-3073 or hammer hoops@hotmail.com.
