The echoes of dribbling basketballs and squeaking shoes filled Bohler gym as players competed at Cable 8’s Layups for Lorelei fundraiser. While there were many different skill levels present on the court, everyone came together to raise $464 for a community member in need.

Layups for Lorelei marked the third fundraiser for Cable 8’s Cougar Vision Outreach project L.O.V.E (Lending Our Voices to Erb’s Palsy) for Lorelei Smith, a 16-month-old baby girl who was born with Erb’s Palsy in her right arm.

She has made frequent trips with her mother Tammi Smith to Seattle Children’s Hospital for medical care. After several surgeries, Lorelei has regained movement in her arm, but she will still need physical therapy.

“She will be up and running in no time,” Tammi Smith said.

Over the course of the semester, Cable 8 has hosted events such as Links for Lorelei and Listen Live for Lorelei to raise money for Lorelei’s traveling and physical therapy expenses. By the end of the semester, Cable 8 hopes to raise at least $5,000 for the Smith family.

“We’ve gotten a lot of support from people and ASWSU,” said Destiny Liley, Cable 8 human resources center executive. “It’s a great cause and we’ve even gotten help from outside sponsors and donors like Cougar Country.”

Community members signed up as three-person teams to participate in the three–on-three tournament. Among the 16 teams, ASWSU registered a team comprised of Jared Powell, LaKecia Farmer, Nathan Cherzan and Kyle Strachila. Games were 20 minutes long with 10-minute halves. In the first game, ASWSU President Jared Powell brought his team to victory with a tie-breaking shot.

“I think the Pullman community is tightknit and they really do a lot for WSU, so giving back to the community is something all students should do,” said former ASWSU Vice President Lakecia Farmer. “That’s why it’s important to have events like this where we can give back.”

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., it was a mini March Madness in the Boehler gymnasium where teams tested one another on the courts. Raffle tickets were also sold for prizes like Valhalla gift cards. At the end, the last team standing was “In the Hole,” staffed by students Corey Sullivan, Devonte Woodson, Matthew Benzin, and Ricky Dubreus.

“It was really amazing playing. I felt so much comradery,” said Paige Schoengarth, a junior communication major. “It’s really wonderful that we can help someone and help her get the money for Lorelei’s traveling and physical therapy needs.”

As basketballs were dunked and dribbled, Lorelei watched the games with her mother, eating her favorite cheese popcorn. Dressed in a floral pink dress and wearing a beautiful smile, Lorelei seemed to be having a good time.

“It means a lot that people would take their time to do something for someone else,” Tammi Smith said.