Harlem Wizards makes stop in Salisbury

SALISBURY, Md. – Who do you call when you want to put the fun in fundraising?

If you’re anything like Don Murphy, chairperson of the Salisbury Sunrise Rotary Club, your first thought would be to dial the Harlem Wizards.

“What’s really great is they engage the crowd, the kids, so this is really targeted towards school-aged kids and their families,” Murphy said. “They can come out here for a couple of hours and watch these guys just put on a great show.”

The Wizards are playing for their second time in Salisbury, helping the Rotary Club raise funds for scholarships, community events and school programs. It’s their biggest event of the year that Murphy said draws all the buzz.

“We found out about the Harlem Wizards, and they’ve got a great program to work with non-profit organizations, like our Rotary Club, to put on this fun show. It’s pretty unique and hopefully generates a lot of interest,” Murphy said.

They may not be your traditional basketball team, but Wizards manager, Jamel Thompson, said that’s what sets them apart.

“When you go to an NBA game, or any other professional sports game, rarely do kids and parents get an opportunity to be up close and personal with their favorite athletes,” Thompson said. “With us, we give those moments to the kids and the families, three times during the game.”

“When you can reach and touch and talk to your heroes, that also makes a difference in your life,” Thompson added.