North Vancouver high school students and local first responders hit the hardwood for a good cause Tuesday night.
A group of Windsor Secondary students organized a charity basketball game playing against North Shore first responders to raise funds for Cops for Cancer and the District of North Vancouver Fire Fighters Charitable Society.
Grade 11 Windsor Secondary student Alea Nader and her friend Pippa Sturm pitched the basketball game idea in their social justice class, where they had to come up with a real-life event linked to the subject.
“It was the one that won by a landslide,” Nader said. “Everyone was really on board to do it, and we were really excited.”
Students in the class as well as the broader school community quickly jumped on board. Teachers, the principal and a North Vancouver School District trustee all pitched in reaching out to first responders like North Vancouver RCMP and District of North Vancouver firefighters.
That outreach grew even further when North Vancouver RCMP Const. Paul Reece got involved, branching out to BC paramedics and West Vancouver Police Department.
“I did not have to try very hard,” Reece said. “This is one of those chances where you get first responders out and [students] get the chance to see the awesome side of everything they do.”
“They’re here to support and help the community,” he added. “Sometimes when they go to scenes, they deal with some pretty horrific stuff, and this is a chance for them to fill the cup back up with the good.”
Cops for Cancer is an organization that includes police agencies, first responders and emergency service personnel. Since 1997, Cops for Cancer has raised more than $50 million for child cancer research through cycling tours and fundraising events.
The DNV Firefighters Charitable Society partners with North Vancouver businesses and philanthropists to fund initiatives that help build a healthy, active and resilient community.
Windsor Secondary teacher Shawn Myers created the social justice class 11 years ago to teach students about global issues and show them how they can make an impact, no matter how big or small.
“It doesn’t take a lot to actually initiate a change. You don’t have to change the world, you can change a small thing, and it can have an impact,” Myers said.
“[We] live in North Vancouver, it’s very safe, it’s not like you’re in the Downtown Eastside or anything like that,” he added. “I think giving them that opportunity to kind of see that the world is really hard for some people and maybe having a little bit of compassion can be good for everybody.”
Students from the social justice class collected funds online through ticket sales with a $2,000 goal and split 50/50 between the two charities.
They surpassed their goal by raising $2,480, and each charity will receive $1,250.
While the basketball game was to raise charity funds, the friendly competition on the court kept up a fast pace as students and first responders squared off. The score remained close throughout the game, creating a stir with a crowd of more than 200 people clapping, cheering and shouting.
“It brings people together, and it kind of pays our respect to these people that work every day, saving people’s lives in different ways,” Nader said. “Even though it’s such a tiny, fun game, it creates long-lasting memories for both sides and it also makes first responders feel loved and appreciated.”
District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little was the coach for Windsor Secondary, while City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan took charge of the first responders. North Shore first responders won 48 to 43 over Windsor Secondary students.
The charity basketball game was a huge success, Myers said, adding that the school is looking into the possibility of making the event an annual tradition.
What a night! Our charity basketball game brought out an amazing crowd and serious energy on the court. After an intense back-and-forth, the North Shore First Responder team clinched the win over Windsor Secondary School students in a nail-biting overtime finish—48 to 43! Every… pic.twitter.com/neppvYQdqk
— North Vancouver RCMP (@nvanrcmp) April 9, 2025
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
https://bsky.app/profile/abbyluciano.bsky.social
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