By Molly Ford Flodder—
MUNCIE, IN—Building on the success of a 50th anniversary Ice Cream Social last June and the current effort to raise money for a new outdoor basketball court,the Center is hosting a Scoops for Hoops event, set for Saturday, June 21, from 4-6 p.m. The event will offer free hotdogs, free ice cream sundaes, a raffle, and many activities for children and families. The staff hopes for more than the 300 who attended an ice cream social last year. Again, the location will be at the Center at 1110 W. 10th Street in Muncie.
One of the biggest attractions at the Ross Community Center has always been basketball. When the ground was broken for the center 50 years ago and built and opened to the Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhood, a central feature was its outdoor basketball court.
In spite of the use of the indoor courts by Center regulars and other community members who rent the space now, it has been seven years since the outdoor court was available. Over the years it became very dilapidated and was torn down to expand Rose Park, the area just west and adjacent to the center, making it into the scenic place it is today. It features a playground, picnic pavilion, and landscaped area with native plants.
The indoor courts at Ross Center.
Today the Center is a multigenerational venue focusing on education and lifelong learning, health, and wellness. Among the services is a bi-weekly food market at which families may pick up food, including meat and fresh produce. In addition, the center offers early childhood education, out-of-school programming, English as a Second Language, Spanish and High School Equivalency classes, as well as sports and Judo, among many other offerings.
“In spite of the constant use of the Ross Community Center and our three baseball fields and soccer fields,” said Jacqueline Hanoman, executive director, “our neighborhood users and supporters would like nothing better than to also have an accessible outdoor basketball court. This event is among several efforts to bring in funds to put toward that future reality.”
The Ross Center has submitted a $100,000 grant proposal to fund the majority of the outdoor court and is awaiting a response. Other funding has come from area businesses, especially those geographically close to the Ross Community Center, which stands just south of where the Chevrolet and Delco Battery plants were located. A variety of individuals and businesses from all over the county have provided raffle prizes ranging from a Muncie Children’s Museum membership and vehicle mechanic services to a Lazy-Boy recliner and Heidi Hale jewelry.
Hot dogs and chips will be provided by the Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhood association and ice cream and toppings by the Ross Community Center Board of Directors and other friends of the Center.
Two community members who hope to see this event be successful are men who used the Center to play basketball. One is Jason Minton who believes that his life was changed because of his participation as a youth at the Ross Community Center. A lifelong resident of Muncie, Jason is a teacher in Anderson and grew up just three blocks from the Center. One of five children, he and his two brothers played basketball, baseball, football, or just “hung out” at the Center. Playing on the outside court was an activity that went on for years. “It was a safe place, and my mom knew I was there. It was a place of comfort where I could just play.”
The second user is Dr. Jeffrey Bird, IU Health President, East Central Region including Ball Hospital. While Dr. Bird did not play on the outside court, after medical school he used the indoor court to play every Monday night, an activity that he looked forward to each week.”The Ross Center is an excellent resource in our community, and basketball is a great way to exercise,” he said.
“Generous funding has come to us through philanthropic gifts from funders such as Ball Brothers Foundation and IU Health Foundation,” said Hanoman. “We are grateful to our area donors as well. We hope that people who find our mission to be important to our Muncie community will come out to celebrate and help us move toward another great feature for the Ross Community Center.”
For an opportunity to donate for those who can’t attend, visit the website at www.rosscentermuncie.org
