Organizers of One King Sports feel their ministry has been very blessed and has found a way to share the love with area programs helping those in need.

 

During this year’s basketball season, two dates have been designated as Game Days of Giving, said One King Sports Co-Founder Ricky Hitt.

 

“It’s an effort by One King Sports Ministry and its game day spectators to follow Christ’s example and give to location organizations,” he said. "Giving is an important biblical principle.  As a ministry, we can use these two Game Days of Giving to allow others the opportunity to give and to raise awareness for the causes/work of the organizations.”

 

There will be designated drop-off areas for donations at both game day locations. Pre-K through fourth grade games are being played at Horizons Church in Lost Creek. Fifth/sixth grade games are held at Genesis Youth Crisis Center, Safe Haven Drive, Clarksburg.

 

The first observance is Jan. 21 with donations to benefit Help on the Horizon Inc., the food pantry of Horizons Church.

 

“Help on the Horizon serves the food needs of 1,400 adults and 500 kids per year,” Hitt said. “They are in need of non-perishable food items – like canned vegetables, fruits and soups, baby formula and breakfast items - to stock the pantry.”

 

On Jan. 28, donations will be made to benefit Genesis Youth Crisis Center.

 

“That organization's services include emergency shelter care, foster care, adoption services and community-based services,” Hitt said. “They provide support to over 200 youth from all 55 West Virginia counties each year.”

 

Genesis Youth Crisis Center is in need of a wide variety of items, including drawing and other art supplies such as journals and sketch pads; school supplies; craft kits, board games, playing cards, DVD movies (of at least PG-13 rating); duffle bags, portable CD players, nail design kits, headphones and earbuds, among other items.

 

On both Jan. 21 and Jan. 28, games at Horizons Gym take place 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. Jan. 21. Games at Genesis Youth Crisis Center begin at  9 a.m. with the last game scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

 

Hitt said One King Sports is excited to provide opportunity to supply donations to these organizations to help them continue the great work they do in the community.

 

“We are hoping to blow the doors off with donations for Help on the Horizons Food Pantry and the Genesis Youth Crisis Center Foster Home,” he said.

 

This is the first year for Game Days of Giving.

 

“It’s a tradition we will continue each year in all of our leagues,” Hitt said. “And each year, we will select a different group or groups to benefit.”

 

Both the Horizons Food Pantry and Genesis Youth Center have been a blessing to One King Sports and were ideal beneficiaries for the first year. 

 

“This is our way of giving back to those who have made the work of the One King Sports ministry possible,” Hitt said. “We have over 1,000 participants/spectators that attend a One King Sports Game Day.  Imagine the impact that could be made if everyone brought only one item to donate.”