1) The Sherburne-Earlville faculty and staff pose for a team photo before the start of the game, featuring varsity players Parker Goedel and Avery Parsons as coaches. (Photo by Morgan Golliver), 2) The first responders basketball team pose for a group photo prior to the start of the game, featuring honorary firefighter and waterboy, Layne Parks. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

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.