Jeff Smith for Missouri

For Immediate Release Contact: Jeff Smith
July 22, 2008 (314) 323-0915

ST. LOUIS – On Saturday, July 19, 2008, approximately 2,000 people attended Senator Jeff Smith’s (D-St. Louis) 3rd annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament and community fair at Fairground Park. The event offered free school supplies, books, food and drinks, health screenings and information about a myriad of useful services.

“This year’s 3-on-3 tournament was not just a day of games and fun,” said Senator Smith. “We gave away notebooks, pencils, rulers and other school supplies to students as they prepare to go back to school.”

Over 70 non-profit organizations and community services offered information, activities, and services, including free health screenings for vision, HIV, lead testing, as well as chiropractic evaluations. Volunteers distributed information on parenting, health, housing, literacy, childcare, community-building, and much more. Adults registered to vote and people of all ages signed up for new library cards.

The 3-on-3 basketball tournament was comprised of four age divisions: 10 and under, 11-13, 14-16, and 17 and up. With a star-studded field including former NBA talent (and Vashon High alum) Anthony Bonner, the games were hotly contested but characterized by hustle and sportsmanship. Winners received prizes ranging from new bicycles to amusement park and concert tickets.

In an unusually spirited matchup, Smith’s team lost in the quarterfinals to the Fairground Legends, who went on to win the tournament. Smith said that he will be nursing his bruises until veto session.

Dear Friends –
I’d like to invite you to my 3rd annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Community Fair JEFF SMITH 3on 3, on July 19th at Fairground Park. Please read about the success of the event from last year 3 on 3 Recap or 2008 Legislative report page 6.

The festivities will run from 10 am-4 pm at the park’s basketball courts, and we’re planning for it to be even bigger and better than last year. The tournament and food and drinks are free for all, and players will receive free T-shirts and back-to-school supplies. A local DJ will spin music, Pappy’s Smokehouse and St. Louis Fish and Chicken will provide pulled pork, catfish filets, and wings, and Ben and Jerry’s will supply 500 scoops of ice cream.

The winners of each age division will win brand-new bikes from Big Shark Bicycles, and runners-up will receive everything from Six Flags passes to Cardinals tickets to gift certificates for clothes and CDs. Click here to sign up to play JEFF SMITH 3on 3

The other component of the event is the Community Fair, which will focus on health, literacy and job opportunities. Dozens of local organizations plan to participate:

· the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment and the Urban League, which will help people identify opportunities for job training and employment;

· several youth literacy groups will give away children’s books and promote reading programs;

· the City Health Department will educate on prevention of STDs and lead poisoning, and provide Body Mass Index assessment and blood pressure screening;

· Derrty Entertainment, operated by Nelly, will help provide books and backpacks to tournament players while they last.

· the Missouri Optometric Association will offer free vision screenings and other health screenings and information will be available.

There are volunteer opportunities for the day of the event as well as before.

Volunteer jobs:

Pick up food the morning of the event

Return borrowed items

Referee tournament- kid or adult?

Help with keeping food available

Assist with community fair booths

Set up tables the morning of event

Assist in signing in team(s)

Assist in signing in services & volunteers

Help with cleaning up grounds after event

Time slots: You do not need to work the whole block – we’ll take any help you can give.

Start- 8:00am-11:00am
Middle- 11:00am-3:00pm
End- 3:00pm-6:00pm

Please confirm the job __ and time slot _ that you prefer to Christine Brauner.

Christine Brauner
Office: 314.361.4333

The first 20 volunteers to sign up will receive “Democrats Work” T-shirts promoting a great non-profit that encourages Democrats to serve their communities – and not just when they’re running for office.

The event will be a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with an array of wonderful services that can really make a difference in our lives – and to watch some good basketball.

I want to thank the many businesses and people who are generously co-sponsoring this event. They are recognized on the event’s promotional material, located at www.jeffsmith3-on-3.com and, starting this weekend, in neighborhoods across the city.

If you’d like to help us defray the cost of the event, donations are tax-deductible and may be made out to “Jeff Smith 3 on 3“, and mailed to me at 1929 Alfred, 1N, St. Louis, MO 63110. And if you have any questions about the tournament/community fair or about anything else, just reply to this email or call my office at (314) 361-4333.

Also, on another note: if you’re interested in joining me to march in this year’s PRIDE parade this Sunday, June 29th and/or helping register new voters at the fair, just email Sarah @ (hunter.sarah.e@gmail.com).

Hope to see you soon!

Best,

Jeff