'Park Dunks for P.U.N.T.': Park School partners with local pediatric cancer outfit for kids 3-on-3 basketball tournament

Submitted by the Park School of Buffalo

The Park School of Buffalo, Western New York’s only co-ed Montessori and pre-K-12th grade independent school, is proud to be partnering with the P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative, a nonprofit foundation providing various programs that offer financial, emotional and practical support for families facing childhood cancer.

“Park Dunks for P.U.N.T.” will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Rich Family Activity Center on Park’s campus, 4625 Harlem Road in Amherst. The basketball tournament is for kids ages 7-14. It is an all-day event for the entire family.

While the basketball tournament games are being played, the event will also boast a live DJ, food and beverage trucks, bounce houses, basketball training demos, lawn games and vendors.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the P.U.N.T. organization.

"We are honored to have our mission to provide direct, impactful support to local families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis lifted by the Park School community,” said Gwen Mysiak, longtime executive director of P.U.N.T. Pediatric Cancer Collaborative. “The ways we help and the depth of relationship we forge with those we serve reflects each core value Park embodies. The resources you will provide will lessen financial burdens so parents can focus on what matters most: being there for their child fighting cancer. These efforts are a true gift from Park School to these patients, and we are grateful that our nonprofit can be the bridge that links them together."

Stephanie Dommer, director of marketing and communication at Park, said, “I just really wanted to put something together that would bring our community closer and raise funds for a great local organization. Our director of athletics, Turner Battle, has really helped me bring this event idea to fruition by gathering so many volunteer basketball players for the day who will referee the games. Plus, I feel that basketball in WNY is huge, and there aren’t many tournaments open to younger-aged kids.”

The tournament is open to the public to sign up; there are eight brackets total, four age groups split into boys’ and girls’ teams.

To register or for more information, visit: https://theparkschool.org/dunks4punt. Please note: There are two separate forms linked on this page – one for team registration and one for team payment.

Both organizations hope you will come and enjoy this wonderful day with them as they raise funds for a great organization and cause!