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Business & Tech

GECC Participates in Hoops for the Heart

Residents at Gwinnett Extended Care Center shoot hoops to help build Heart and Vascular Center.

Residents at Gwinnett Extended Care Center shot hoops to make a difference in the treatment of heart diseases and issues. Thirty-six of the eighty-nine residents at GECC, most in wheelchairs, participated in fundraising Hoops for the Heart event. Each took turns tossing miniature basketballs in free standing nets.  Winners were selected by the successful sinking of five balls in the net. Donations raised will go to the construction of the Heart and Vascular Center on the Gwinnett Medical Center campus.

It was nothing but net for the hoops contest winners Bonnie Still, 93, Annie Carter, 88, and Inez Walters, 94. These three ladies beat other female and male competitors. They each sank five basketballs, from wheelchairs and without breaking a sweat.  

When asked how it feels to be a winner, Carter said, “It feels great. I didn’t think I could do it, but I did.” Carter attributed her win to natural talent, no practice necessary and to playing basketball in high school. Carter was born and raised in Gwinnett County and her father once farmed the land that the now sits.

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GECC staff, volunteers and residents family and friends served as cheerleaders and coaches. Joyce Odukale, Restorative Aide at GECC said that residents have been energized by participating and in raising money to contribute to saving lives.

“The residents chose to do this event in January in residents’ council meeting. In less than a month we organized and raised nearly $500. Every cent will go toward the building of the new Heart and Vascular Center at Gwinnett Medical Center,” said Joan Lawlor, GECC Activity Assistant.

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Under construction and due for completion in 2012, the 40,000 square foot Heart and Vascular Center will provide heart care, treatment and procedures. After constructed, the $33 million investment will enable Gwinnett County residents to stay in county to access a complete range of cardiac services.

“You have no idea how good it makes us feel knowing that we are helping to build this much needed facility. It makes us feel useful and every time we look at it we can say we helped to make to make possible. I hope we can do more,” said Jean Langford, 75 and six-month resident at GECC.

Sponsors of Hoops for the Heart included GECC staff, family and friends of residents and employees. Most donors gave $1 for each basket made by one resident. But some special donors matched or covered every basket made for all of the contestants.

“My daughter and her husband, Lori and Leo Schwartz who live in New Jersey gave $5 for each resident, no matter how many baskets they did or did not make. This event was personal for my daughter, whose grandfather had a heart condition. And most of the residents either have a heart condition or have love ones with the condition or disease,” said Lawlor.

GECC will hold Hoops for the Heart as its annual fundraiser until the Heart and Vascular Center is complete. After that residents will select their next fundraising event.

“This is a meaningful project that everyone in the community, including residents in a nursing home, can contribute to. It has added meaning to residents’ lives and I hope they inspire the whole county, community-by-community to get involved,” said Tamey Stith, GECC Administrator.

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