Upward Basketball and Cheerleading looks to give back | Events

Upward Basketball and Cheerleading is looking to give back to the facilities that have made their 12-year operation possible this weekend.

The Drive During Five – named because it is the fifth week of the season – seeks donations for the facilities in which the league runs. All five of the facilities do charitable work, and have needs that must be filled in order to keep their operations strong.

“We would love if the parents of our participants could help these programs,” Suzy Orth, co-director of Upward, said.

The inspiration for the drive came from Upward's vision as a ministry.

“We are an independent league, but we partner with many local churches,” Orth said. “We want people to know that we are all a part of the church, but it doesn't matter what church you go to, we're still collectively a church.”

Friday's event will benefit HUB360 – a free after school program for middle schoolers. Bring bottled water, snacks, board games or anything you think would be helpful for a program aiding 10-13 year olds.

If you will be attending games on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spokane Valley Nazarene Church, bring items that would help young moms, such as diapers, baby food and other baby items.

Collection bins will also be at Opportunity Presbyterian Church from 8:30 a.m. to noon and Spokane Valley United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. These facilities do a lot of work with the Spokane Valley Partners, and would like items that would help families with babies and toddlers.

Orth said it would be ideal for each of the roughly 600 families who participate through Upward donated one item.

“We just want to be a reflection of Jesus throughout the community,” Orth said.

For more information on Upward and Drive During Five, visit their Facebook page.