News: Ashburn Hoops of Hope Set for July 31 - Benefits African Children Orphaned by HIV/AIDS

(July 27, 2010) - The Ashburn business community is rallying around a group of kids who are shooting basketballs for African children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The Ashburn children are part of an estimated 20,000 participants who will shoot free throws this year to raise awareness and funds for children severely affected by the HIV and AIDS virus in Africa.

Started in 2004 by now 15-year old Austin Gutwein, Hoops of Hope encourages kids, teens and adults to shoot 500 free throws to represent the 500 kids orphaned every 2 hours by HIV/AIDS.

More than 130 Ashburn children already have signed up to spend their evening at the free-throw line shooting baskets in honor of these children. The children have been collecting donations online with more than $6700 already raised. Their goal for the day is $20,000. And the community has come together to help them achieve their goal.

• Robeks, Sal’s Pizza, Subway, Chic Fil-A and Safeway are donating food and drinks for the event.
• Dick’s Sporting Goods is donating 100 Basketballs
• Walgreens is donating water bottles and art supplies
• AYFL is donating their tents and water containers
• George Mason University is donating 8 tickets to a game
• The band Adonia will be playing free of charge.
• J10 Church has donated a moon bounce for the kids and their families to play on during the event.
• Several restaurants have donated gift cards to be raffled off at the event.
• The Fire Department will be making a visit to spray the kids off and cool them down!
• Former Redskin Eddie Mason and others from Mase Training will be joining the group of volunteers to assist the day of the event.

WHEN: July 31, 2010 beginning at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Eagle Ridge Middle School, 42901 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, VA

HOW: Through a website (www.hoopsofhope.org) Austin’s passion to help kids has led to thousands of participants and raised approximately $1 million over the past five years. Hoops of Hope shoot-a -thons have funded the building of a high school for 1000 students, a medical lab and counseling center and most recently, a water project in Kenya as well as a second medical clinic in Zambia. Austin recently returned from his second trip to Africa where he was able to attend the dedication of the lab.

This year, the goal is to raise $580,000 to complete dormitories for the high school as well as to provide for care centers to be built in Swaziland. 100% of all Hoops of Hope funds go to World Vision (www.worldvision.org) who facilitate the building of Hoops of Hope projects..

WHY: Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS somewhere in the world, according to the United Nations. This means that every day, more than 6,000 children join the 15 million children worldwide who have already lost one or both parents to this disease.

About Hoops of Hope: Hoops of Hope is a non-profit organization started in 2004 by then 10-year old Austin Gutwein who wanted to bring awareness and raise funds for the more than 15 million children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. On World AIDS Day 2004, Austin shot over 2000 free throws to represent the more than 2000 kids who were orphaned during his day at school. Since then, Austin has been recruiting others to join him and together they have raised over $1 Million for these children. For more information please visit www.hoopsofhope.org.

About World Vision: World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. For more information please visit www.worldvision.org