SHERBURNE – On Thursday night, the Kevin Vibbard Basketball Court at Sherburne-Earlville high school was packed full of school and local community members in support of the second annual S-E faculty and staff vs local first responders basketball game.
The basketball game is also hosted by the Sherburne-Earlville middle and high school parent teacher organization (PTO) and the price of admission was a free-will donation with the funds raised going directly to the organization.
Toni Carpenter, the president of the PTO, said last year, which was the first year of the event, the community raised over $1,100. The funding was put into good use for supporting students in morning giveback days, popcorn days, and even ice cream socials.
“Our goal is to try and provide an activity or giveback to the student body each month,” Carpenter said. “This event began as an idea from a couple of our PTO members. It is a great opportunity to bring our amazing school community together with our dedicated first responders for an evening of fun, laughter, and support for the MS/HS PTO. We are also incredibly fortunate to have school and community members that are amazing mentors for our students.”
This year, the fundraiser raised about the same amount with a total of $1,077 going back to the PTO.
Mike Behret, who has been involved with the PTO and is an active member of the Sherburne Fire Department for the past 17 years, helped initiate the event last year.
“Last year, I spoke with the assistant chief and we both agreed a fundraiser like this would mean a lot,” Behret said. “Last year was a huge success that we decided to bring it back annually. It’s an amazing and fun event that brings a lot of good to the community, especially having the fire dept be there. Because of how well the connection is with the school and first responders, we may even have a softball fundraiser in the spring.”
The game was like a traditional high school basketball game with four quarters, but with a few twists. After the end of each quarter, there were games where the fans could interact, especially the kids. There were musical chairs, a game of knock out basketball, and even dress like a fireman, where the participants had to try and beat an actual fireman on getting on his gear. The fireman won and the first responders received bonus points.
The game itself went into double overtime, where the S-E staff took the 70-68 victory and was rewarded the trophy at the end of the game.
Among the S-E faculty and staff team was Kevin Vibbard Jr, who is a math teacher at S-E, and was the assistant varsity basketball coach under Vibbard Sr. Vibbard said he appreciates giving back to the community as Sherburne is his hometown.
“It’s awesome to be a part of the staff and community,” Vibbard Jr. said. “It was great to come back to my hometown and give back to the community that’s done so much for me and given me the opportunity to teach and even coach with my dad.”
Vibbard Jr sported the number 33 jersey, which he said that was his exact uniform and number from his time on the Sherburne-Earlville basketball program. While the teachers and staff wore former S-E uniforms, the first responders all wore white shirts with the Sherburne Fire Dept insignia and the number of the station ’28’ in the back.
Michael Rodriguez, a social studies teacher and the S-E soccer coach, who also served military time, also played in the game, where he loves being a part of a community.
“I came from an urban background, where I got the sense of community and being here at S-E is part of a community, where everyone does things together and it’s so great.”
Local first responders also reflected on helping out the cause. The Fire Dept. is led by Chief of 26 years, Paul Jones. Jones described his men as a big family that’s always willing to help out.
“It’s good camaraderie for the community and the guys work great together and communicate well,” Jones said. “We made time to be here for it and got our training done beforehand after we were “all-in” last year. It’s a friendly competition and fun for the crowd to see.”
Gary Miller, who worked for the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for 17 years and is serving his 23rd year in the Air Force, shares the same sentimental feelings for the event and appreciates being a part of the Sherburne community, where his kids attend S-E.
“This event shows what we, first responders, do everyday as members of the community and brings everyone together for a good cause,” Miller said. “Our Fire Dept steps up for the community and it’s not easy as a lot of them volunteer their time to be here. It is also great for the community to recognize the work of first responders.”
Tom Jusinaiec has spent 25 years working for the Department of Justice, where he has a strong passion for giving back.
“ I always wanted to be a first responder and have the ability to give back and be involved in public safety and securing our schools,” he said. “I am a proud S-E alum and hope that my son can follow in my footsteps.”
Everyone from the fans, the PTO, the players, the fire department, and to the school agree with how much fun the event was last year and again this year, where everyone hopes the tradition will continue for years to come. The PTO will be holding their next meeting on Wednesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. in room 230 at the S-E high school. Anyone interested in joining is welcome to attend.