Students swish for Make-A-Wish Foundation

Students who dream about playing one-on-one against Jerome Allen may get their chance this week as the Quakers' basketball players donate their time for "Swishes for Wishes." The "Swishes for Wishes" fundraising booth on Locust Walk is raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia -- a non-profit organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. The booth gives students the opportunity to meet their favorite Quakers and to help out a worthy cause. At the booth, students can either sponsor one of the players or give money to enter a raffle with prizes including Reebok athletic wear, Philadelphia 76ers tickets or a basketball autographed by Charles Barkley. The Quaker basketball team has agreed to operate the booth weekdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through March 2. "[The players] are very enthusiastic about [Make-A-Wish]," said Wharton sophomore Michele Wisch, one of the program's organizers. The project will culminate during halftime of the highly anticipated Princeton game. The halftime activities include a $1,000 check presented by basketball team sponsor Expec Inc. to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. And Mellon Bank along with Mayor Ed Rendell will sponsor a halftime event as well. According to Wisch, a sum of money will circulate in a clear tube and Rendell will have a set amount of time to collect as much cash as he can. Wisch said she hopes every one will come out and help. "You are making a real difference in a child's life now, not in five years, not in 10 years," Wisch said. "We're looking to raise money, but also to raise awareness." Wisch said she hopes students will join her and the basketball team on the Walk this week to support the Make-A-Wish cause.