|
The free-throw fundraiser
Epsom man shoots hoops for injured veterans
Dave Cummings, 42, of Epsom, has been making about 1,400 free throws a night at a local gym since this past Veterans Day, to raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides services to critically injured veterans. Cummings is aiming to make one million free throws by Veterans Day 2011. Visit www.hoopsforheroes.com. Cummings had made 87,207 free throws as of press time.
Q: Why free throws for the fundraising?
Free-throw shooting is one of my few real skills. ... I’m a decent ping pong player, skier, and a chocolate chip cookie maker, but they don’t really translate very well into fundraisers. This way it can actually be calculated, I can put a number on it and advance toward a goal that way.
How did you decide on one million free throws?
It’s the number I thought could generate enough attention in a broad way that would serve this fundraiser and awareness-raiser well.
What is the [Fallen Heroes Fund] all about?
[E]ssentially what they do is serve critically injured veterans. Currently they have a project for a $60 million facility in Bethesda, Md., where they will treat veterans with brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.... [Visit www.fallenheroesfund.org.]
How did you decide on this fund?
In hearing about the fund, it struck me what an incredible issue it is. We’ve got all these military personnel who now can be saved on the battlefield — there’s amazing things going on — that we can bring our men and women home alive. Unfortunately, they’re still coming back with ... life-altering injuries, sometimes lifelong injuries. … the financial and emotional impact of that on families and the country is overwhelming and will be longstanding. It’s going to be an issue for a long time. No amount of money is going to be enough.
How much are you looking to raise?
I have a goal of $1 million. It’s a nice, tidy amount, a dollar for every shot. I have no sense if it’s realistic but I believe it is. I have a gut feeling that it’ll happen. [He’d raised nearly $3,600 as of press time.]
Your goal is to finish on Veterans Day 2011?
That’s the goal. That will take an average of 1,370 shots made per day.
How are you doing keeping up with that?
I’m ahead of the pace at this point. I’m averaging about 1,410 per day.
When are you shooting?
I do it at a local gym, weekdays at night. Hopefully after the bedtime ritual — I have three kids — so I’m not leaving my wife high and dry too badly. The weekends are more flexible.
Do you need rebounders?
I do need rebounders. I’ve only had to do two days without a rebounder. I’ve been very fortunate that way.
[A]re you feeling like you’re getting better as you go?
If anything, I think I’m getting slightly better. All the shots are documented but I haven’t chronicled the actual percentage. If I had to guess, I’m at roughly 90 percent. [The Boston Celtics’ Ray Allen is shooting free throws at a 91.2-percent clip this year — second-best in the NBA.] I would hate to be making four out of 10. — Jeff Mucciarone
|
Navigation
