First-ever alumni game brings in more than $2k

Saturday's alumni basketball game raised $2,670 in donations and ticket sales and brought together around 250 community members and past and present Bigfork High School basketball players.

"It was awesome," said Matt Porrovecchio, BHS assistant activities director who co-organized the event with Brenda Jordt. "We had a great turnout and everything went really well."

The money raised is being donated this year to Maurice Dale, a Bigfork school bus driver who recently encountered medical problems. The school plans to make this an annual event, with proceeds going to benefit a different individual or group in the community each year.

"When we originally started planning the event it just seemed like a good opportunity for the community to get together and to get some people back in the gym that hadn't been in there in a while," Porrovecchio said. "But then it turned into a great opportunity to help out someone in our community. I just love Bigfork and I love it when we get together as a community and when we support each other."

The guest of honor, Dale, was even able to attend the event, which was the first school function he has attended since becoming ill. The crowd gave him a standing ovation three times. A letter was read in between the mens and womens games from him and his wife, Lois, thanking the community for their support.

"It was great to see Maurice and to be able to give him and his family the money we raised is really awesome," Porrovecchio said.

Following the two games the players and fans were invited to a spaghetti dinner, which was provided by the Garden Bar and BruMar Estates at the Bigfork Middle School cafeteria.

"That was very generous of them to donate all the food and supplies, and their time," Porrovecchio said.

Porrovecchio said that he is already looking forward to planning next year's game and encourages any alumni interested in playing to contact him.