Photo by Alan Olson
The Rev. Darrell Cummings of the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple speaks about the upcoming Thanksgiving Charity Basketball Game.

The seventh year of an annual Thanksgiving tradition will again be a contest of consistency and skill, as the Annual Thanksgiving Charity Basketball Game returns at the end of next week.

The game will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Highlands Sports Complex. In the large gym area, up to 12 players at a time will decide whether to shoot from the foul line or the three-point line, with a player’s score contributing to their team’s total. The event is a ministry of the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, where sponsored players raise money for the church’s Thanksgiving Food Basket giveaway.

Pastor Darrell Cummings said he relishes the opportunity to engage the body and the soul each year.

“I hope we have fun, where we can come, laugh, and get … physical exercise, but also help those who are in need,” he said. “We’ve been trying to help those in need at this time of year for the last 31 years, and for the last seven years, we’ve been doing it through a basketball event like this.

“We’re very, very grateful. I don’t know that this happens all over the world, but it happens in the Ohio Valley that people from all over — we have teachers, we have principals, we have senators, mayors, congresspeople — who come together to help those they may not even know.”

Several local celebrities attended, including newly appointed state Sen. Owens Brown, D-Ohio; Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott; financial advisor Walker Holloway; and Temple Shalom Rabbi Joshua Lief. Also present at Thursday’s announcement was Ricky Moore, sports director of the Highlands Sports Complex, and WTOV9 reporter Ed DiOrio.

One thing each man had in common was their reassurance that sponsorships and donations made at the shootout would contribute regardless of their own performance on the court.

“I’m particularly grateful that the total dollars raised are not incumbent upon me making a shot,” joked Lief. “I have always tried to help and donate to this cause, because I think it’s a very righteous cause,” added Brown. “This will be my first year up here. Hopefully I can bring some other people up with me to watch me throw some bricks.”

The Thanksgiving Food Basket giveaway is another annual tradition for the Temple, where dozens to several hundred people are able to receive baskets of food to feed their family not just for the holiday, but for several days. The tradition began in 1990 and has grown each year, helping people across the Ohio Valley.

Cummings said the expense of purchasing Thanksgiving meals has drastically increased this year.

“But we are emphatic that we’re going to make this happen,” Cummings added, “and that we’re going to use everything we can to give, as we do every Thanksgiving, not only turkey and different food items to go along with the meal, but clothes, shoes, coats and items to along with it as well.”

Cummings expressed his gratitude to the Highlands Sports Complex for allowing them to hold the event, which in previous years was held at Wheeling University’s gym. Due to the lingering effects of COVID, Cummings said, public activities such as the fundraiser are no longer able to be held on campus.

Tickets are available at Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, Shiloh Apolstolic Faith Assembly, or from any of the players. Tickets are also available at the door the day of. Those interested in sponsoring, or those with questions, are asked to call 304-233-8899.