7th Annual “Hoops for Hope” Raises More Than $10,000

(Photo Courtesy of the Town of Brookhaven) Pictured (left to right) Emily Monaco from Hope House Ministries; Jake’s father, Bob Engel; Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Jake’s brother, Patrick Engel; Hope House Ministries Board Chair Charlie Russo; and Jake’s brother, Geoff Engel.

The seventh annual “Hoops for Hope” basketball tournament and barbeque event took place at Cedar Beach in Mt. Sinai on July 28. The event raised over $10,000, with the money going towards a scholarship in the name of Jake Engel, a 22-year-old student-athlete from Miller Place who died from a heroin overdose in 2015.

“Hoops for Hope” featured a three-on-three basketball tournament, barbeque-style food, games, raffles, and music. The fundraiser, which was established in 2015, brought people from the community together to fight heroin addiction and to raise money for a scholarship in Jake’s name.