Invite fire and police leadership to gauge interest; do not assume departments or personnel have committed.
EVENT PLAYBOOK · COMMUNITY BASKETBALL
Battle of the Badges
Panther Throwback Night
One friendly Elwood firefighters-versus-police basketball game. Optional teacher-versus-coach or alumni halftime challenges bring back the FUN of the old Donkey Basketball nights, without relying on animals, paid entertainment or a large tournament.
HYPOTHETICAL NET$950150 paid attendees · $5 each · $300 sponsor · $100 in listed costs
Initial format1 friendly game + optional halftime fun
Attendance range100–200 spectators to test
Suggested admission$5, with accessible/free ticket options
ParticipationAdults opt in; teams not confirmed
WHY THIS FORMAT FITS ELWOOD
Familiar faces.
One fun night.
A popular-personality exhibition can be easier to recruit and more entertaining to watch than an all-day 12-team tournament. The nostalgic Donkey Basketball tradition is inspiration, not a proposed recreation. We do not know why those events ended; ask longtime residents and school leaders before using it in public promotion.
Request donated gym space, scoreboard, announcer, officials and a $300 sponsor before announcing admission.
Add teachers-versus-coaches or a lighthearted free-throw challenge only if people volunteer and time permits.
STEP-BY-STEP PLAN
Small and manageable.
6–4 weeks out
Ask fire and police contacts whether adults would volunteer and confirm a gym option.
Lead: one community organizer and the school facilities contact
OUTPUT → Interest check and facility estimate4–3 weeks out
Verify insurance, approved game rules, medical coverage, permitted ticket/payment handling and a possible $300 local sponsor.
Lead: volunteer event contact with authorized district support
OUTPUT → Agreed cost ceiling and a go/no-go decision3–1 weeks out
Publish the confirmed match-up, guest spotlights, $5 suggested ticket and online RSVP. Feature alumni nostalgia, but avoid promising former Donkey Basketball participants.
Lead: one communications volunteer; distribute via approved ParentSquare, local campaign leadership's Facebook, Elwood Chatter and local flyers if permitted
OUTPUT → Actual RSVPs or presales, not guessed turnoutEvent day + 72 hours
Run a simple 60–90-minute family-friendly program, reconcile entry and sponsor payments, thank everyone and report verified net results.
Lead: event contact, check-in crew and authorized finance contact
OUTPUT → Actual financial recapVOLUNTEERS
Only the shifts we need.
PeopleJobTypical shift
1Event contact / guest schedulerPrep + game
2Check-in / approved ticketing2 hours
1–2Scoreboard / announcer2 hours
2Floor / guest safety ushers2 hours
2Setup / cleanup1 hour each
LOW-COST PARTNERSHIPS
Ask for one specific thing.
Fire and police leadership
Ask whether personnel may participate voluntarily and under what conditions. No endorsement assumed.
Local employers
Ask one business to underwrite up to $300 of real costs or sponsor family admissions.
Harvest / Needler’s
Ask for donated hydration for volunteers and guests if needed, coordinated with Hydrate the Panthers.
WORKING BUDGET
Easy to test. Easy to revise.
Example gross income
150 admissions × $5$750
One local sponsor$300
Gross $1,050
Example costs
First-aid / supplies / contingency$100
Costs $100
ILLUSTRATIVE NET$950
Excludes unknown venue, insurance, staffing or processing costs.
Scenarios worth testing
100 attendees × $5 + $200 sponsor − $150 expenses = $550. Base: 150 × $5 + $300 − $100 = $950. Stretch: 200 × $5 + $500 − $150 = $1,350. These are arithmetic examples, not forecasts.
Open interactive budget ↗FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY · EDITABLE EXAMPLE
Test the numbers.
Change the example revenue and expenses below. Figures update instantly to show whether this fundraiser is likely worth the effort. These are hypothetical inputs, not approved amounts or forecasts.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Ask local campaign leadership before scheduling
- Would the fire and police departments want to participate?
- Which school gym could be used without competing with school activities?
- Why did Donkey Basketball end? Were cost, animal welfare, insurance or another issue involved? Do not guess.
- Is one game sufficient, and is the volunteer workload reasonable?
- Do the net proceeds justify the time, or is it better combined with another event?