Farmingville, NY - Councilwoman Jane Bonner has announced that the annual Jake Engel “Hoops for Hope Barbecue” and basketball tournament at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai raised a record-breaking $10,000, more than double of what was raised last year. The “Hoops for Hope” fundraiser was established in 2015 after Jake Engel’s death from a heroin overdose. The event, which was held on August 4, brought together hundreds of people from the community to help fight heroin addiction, raise money for a scholarship in Jake Engel's name, and to help fund Hope House Ministries. Pictured left to right are Jake’s brothers, Geoff Engel and Patrick Engel, Councilwoman Bonner and Jake’s parents, Karen and Bob Engel. The free event included a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, barbeque style food, games, raffles and music.
Councilwoman Bonner said, “I am so happy for the outpouring of support for the Engel family and Hope House Ministries. We can always count on the generosity of Brookhaven residents when it’s time to help their neighbors in need and this event was no exception. I look forward to continuing my work with the Engels and Hope House Ministries as we fight heroin addiction until we win the battle against this growing threat to our young people.”
The Engel family commented, "We are happy that all of the hard work that went into organizing this event resulted in such a special evening at Cedar Beach. The selfless support of our sponsors and the hundreds of community members in attendance filled the fundraiser with a profound sense of love. We were especially satisfied to see so many youth members of the community in attendance. Substance abuse is the most serious threat to the lives of the American youth, and we hope that they can take the positive experience of the Hoops for Hope Barbecue, and the message that it represents, back into their schools and everyday lives. Jake spent most of his time at the beach, and we know that his spirit smiled when all of us decided to come together and fight against the opioid epidemic.”
To learn more about the Hoops for Hope Barbecue and how you can donate, go to Hoops for Hope Barbecue.