TEACHING STUDENTS TO PAY IT FORWARD

Every Fall, the B.WELL Foundation hosts LongShots, a 3x3 Basketball Tournament and Community Celebration in the heart of our community at Evelyn K. Davis Park in Des Moines. This event brings together coaches, community members and student athletes to engage in spirited competition without financial barriers, while also offering student athletes the chance to contribute to a community cause of their choice through various give-back opportunities.

At the heart of LongShots lies a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. In addition to facilitating the participation of boys and girls basketball teams from each of the 5 Des Moines Public High Schools with no financial burden, we curate a captivating "Half-Time Spotlight" segment. This segment features a range of activities, including an elementary basketball scrimmage featuring DMPS elementary schools, a Unified Special Olympics scrimmage involving teams from DMPS high schools, and dynamic breakdancing performances by DMPS students spanning elementary through high school.

LongShots offers enriching experiences beyond the basketball court. Students have the chance to collaborate on a community mural piece led by esteemed local Latino artist, Siricasso. This holistic approach ensures that LongShots is not only a celebration of athleticism but also a platform for fostering community cohesion and empowerment.

COMMUNITY TESTIMONIALS

  • The city of Des Moines is forever in debt to B.Well and the Foundation. The basketball community in Des Moines especially. We can’t thank you enough for providing an opportunity to compete in Long Shots and for funding youth to travel for exposure camps they wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise. 


    Dominique Shirley
    DMPS After-School Supervisor and Basketball Coach

  • The LongShots 2021 was a great event which brought athletes from the Des Moines schools together. It was a lot of fun to play with my teammates and compete against other Des Moines athletes as we prepared for the start of the season. I look forward to the 2022 LongShots 3-3 tournament!

    Marissa
    DMPS Student Athlete

  • Our community has long needed individuals to step up and provide these kids with opportunities like this. It promotes community
    involvement, brotherhood and
    sisterhood, and gives the kids an opportunity to do what they love: compete and play basketball.”


    Rob Newton
    DMPS Basketball Coach

THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS!

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Help us continue funding the Des Moines leaders of tomorrow with your financial support. If you’re interested in learning more or donating, please visit our Donate tab or contact office@bwellfoundation.org.

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