Team entries due for 32nd Annual Basketball Marathon
By JIM LANGHAM
Feature Writer
PAYNE – Once again, hundreds of basketball enthusiasts, young and old, will be trekking their way to the Payne Elementary gym, April 2-3, for the 32nd Annual Basketball Marathon for the Paulding County Society for Crippled Children and Adults Inc.
Team pairings and time of play will appear in the March 29 Weekly Reminder and the March 31 Paulding Progress.
Last year, 100 teams participated representing area churches, businesses, industry, clubs, and community organizations. According to event organizer Chad Benschneider, last year’s event raised approximately $7,500.
“The good part about this is that all of the money stays in Paulding County,” said Benschneider. “Last year, because of people’s generosity and support, we were able to help over 120 people.”
Benschneider said that the past couple of years, entry forms for teams have come in slower. While this concerns him a bit, he praised local residents for always coming through in the end.
“I’m sure that the slowed economy and less jobs has had something to do with this,” said Benschneider. “We’ve only got 10 entries in right now. Obviously, we need much more support than that, but I believe that people will come through.”
Entry forms are due March 17, and may be secured at H&H Cleaners in Antwerp or at Paulding or Payne Maramarts.
For information concerning forms, contact Benschneider at either 419-263-2277 or 419-769-4708, or Chad Cluts at 419-263-0327. Basic entry fee is $100 per team. 
Games will start late Friday and continue through Saturday. There will also be various types of food and refreshments available.
“The Marathon Committee does its best to provide a fun and safe event to raise monies for the Crippled Children and Adult Society,” said Benschneider. “We recognize that your team may not be playing exactly at the time that you requested, but we do our best to honor your request and make accurate pairings.
“Our request is that we all remember why we are really doing this and that we keep in perspective the needs of those who will be receiving the good will of your donations,” added Benschneider.
Money donated to the society is used to assist county residents with medications, assistance with medications, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, handicap programs, appliances such as wheel chairs and braces, and other handicap needs.
Benschneider noted that members of the Crippled Children and Adults board screen each application for assistance to ensure that there is need and that need is not fulfilled by others. Applications are available from any of the society’s board members.