This winter brought hardships for several families in Rockbridge County, prompting many people to come together in an effort to help their friends and neighbors.

Darrell Plogger, the senior program director for the Rockbridge Area Recreation Organization and head coach of the Wildcats’ boys’ varsity basketball team, hosted a basketball tournament on Jan. 4 to benefit members of his community.

The tournament was open to players nine years old and above with teams of three. The event was well attended, thanks to Plogger’s advertising.

“We ended up with 19 teams, which was great,” said Plogger. “We sent it out through the RARO email and tried to get an intermediate division, which is a nine and 10 year old group, and then an 11, 12, and 13 year-old group, and an adult group.”

Plogger did not expect to have a high turnout, but was pleased with the attendance.

“That was great because I was really just hoping to get four teams and a couple different divisions, but then we ended up with 19 teams,” said Plogger.

Each player paid an entry fee of five dollars to compete in the tournament. However this fee was not the only way that the event brought in money.

“With the three-on-three we do five dollars per player. We actually did concessions,” said Plogger. “We made a little bit over $200 on concessions and then the rest of it was either donations or through the three-on-three.”

Plogger was pleased with the amount of money his tournament made because it allowed him to help several families in Rockbridge County.

“The one we did recently went to two families: the Thompson family; Paul was my co-worker and he’s got throat cancer; and Pookie [Ware] lost his really young daughter to cancer,” said Plogger. “We took the money and just split it; we actually raised a little bit over $1000, so we just split it down the middle and gave it to each family.”

Plogger believes that his event was very beneficial to the community in several ways. He thinks it is important to help your friends and neighbors, as well as to provide a fun experience for children.

“If we can have these three-on-three tournaments and help raise money and help families out and everybody has a good time through the winter, it’s kind of a win-win for everybody,” said Plogger.