Local basketball team spreads holiday cheer at Ronald McDonald House

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Not every basketball team takes a break between games to go on a shopping spree, but you do if you’re on the Shoes 2 Play team.

Today, the coach wasn’t talking about dribbling or shooting a free throw but about how to pick out the best toys. Players could be heard asking, “Do you think we should get some more puzzles?” as they searched for the perfect gifts.

But these gifts aren’t for the team.

“What we’re doing today is purchasing gifts and presents and essentials for families that are staying at the Ronald McDonald House, just to make their holiday a little bit special,” said Joshua Loera, head coach of the Shoes 2 Play team.

For the past year and a half, Loera has been teaching these girls how to give back to the community and why it’s important to help those who are less fortunate. Those lessons are sinking in.

“It’s making people feel more happy on the inside. And it just gives them a lot of hope, while being in the hospital,” said Josephina Bolser, who plays on the team.

Bringing gifts to the Ronald McDonald House is just one of many donations that Shoes 2 Play has made. This basketball team is part of the bigger Shoes 2 Play nonprofit that Loera started six years ago. Initially started to donate shoes to underprivileged children, it has since grown to include donations like this one to the Ronald McDonald House.

“I just think for them to see it firsthand and what it means, you know, to give back. And just like I said, show how blessed we really are and you know put things in perspective,” Loera said.

So far, these girls have helped donate over 150 shoes, some of them to their own classmates.

“The basketball part is always really fun and it’s just really cool to go out and play games. But the giving back part is more meaningful to me,” said Kendall Myers, who plays on the team.

Loera hopes this will inspire the team to give back to the community long after basketball is done.