July 31, 2024 – Old King’s Orchard, Pain2Peace and Sky walker Outreach, will host “Ball 4 Victims”, a 3 on 3 youth basketball tournament, on August 3rd & 4th to remember and honor victims of gun violence.
The tournament will begin each day at 11am at Hess Park and include 3 on 3 games, as well as vendors and food trucks for spectators .
Turk Smith, program director of the tournament, says the idea was brought to him by people from other organizations in the community such as Pain2Peace and Sky Walker Outreach. Smith hopes the event will remain peaceful.
“I want this to be a peaceful environment. I want to portray the right image overall that we can come together as a community and support one another. If we can have a peaceful turnout, then we can follow through with conversations and narratives that promote peace for our community.”
Smith said helping to organize the event has been a healing journey for him. “I once lived a lifestyle that contradicts the things I am fighting for. Now its redemption for me, and I feel obligated and responsible. I believe that myself and people that are from these communities’ where violence is always upfront, I feel we are responsible to make a difference.”
The event is free and open to the public.
By: Andreas Walker
