SPOKANE, Wash. — The world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament is less than three months away. Volunteers help Hoopest run smoothly, and that includes Beverly Stamper, who's volunteered for the event the past 19 years.
"I believe in what Hoopfest stands for," Stamper said.
This year will be Stamper's 20th. She says the people keep bringing her back.
"What they do for the community as a whole and our economy. And it's a very fun weekend," Stamper said.
Stamper has worn many hats at Hoopfest. She was a court monitor and now brings equipment and food to different volunteers.
She said she can't wait for this year.
"I hope our numbers go higher. I hope we have more teams," Stamper said. "And I hope the weather is like in the 70s that would be perfect."
Hoopfest this year is on June 29 and 30. The two-day event features 500 teams and 400 courts throughout downtown Spokane.
"Just nothing else I'd rather do. I love the challenge of it. It's a new challenge every single year," Director of Volunteers Chad Smith said.
Smith recruits thousands of volunteers year after year. Volunteers help run the games, organize teams and sell merchandise.
"It gives them a sense of purpose. We have people that signed up, maybe as teenagers 20 years ago that are still doing it," Smith said.
Smith says that about 500 people have signed up to volunteer so far. But, Smith needs around 2,000. There's a lot of cool perks too for volunteers, including free shoes for court monitors.
But, Stamper said volunteering is more than just the perks.
"It's a personal satisfaction, you know, knowing that you've done something to help," Stamper said.
Stamper hopes to volunteer for years to come.
She said, "I look forward to every year getting to see the people that I only get to see once a year."
Volunteer sign-ups will stay open until they are filled. To learn more about volunteering for Hoopfest, click here.
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