Councilman helps basketball camp again

Councilman David Weprin sees a lot of residents walk through the doors of his district office in Hollis asking for handouts and support for their various programs. But when Tyrone Sherrod, a 6-foot-5 former basketball star at Brooklyn's Robeson High School and now a Queens school teacher, approached him five years ago about his new basketball camp, it was different.
&#8220He impressed me really as being someone special, being an accomplished individual,” Weprin said. &#8220He wasn't in it to make money. He wanted to run a camp that really helps kids and gives them the proper training and skills that will last them a lifetime.”
&#8220My pitch was that I think the businesses, the elected officials need to be responsible for the community,” recalled Sherrod. &#8220It shouldn't fall solely on the parents, because a lot of parents need help, specifically in Jamaica and Hollis.”
After their meeting, Weprin agreed to become the first sponsor of Sherrod Instructional Basketball Camp, a fundamentals-based summer program for kids ages 7-14 at Holy Trinity Community School in Hollis that preaches hard work, strong academics and respect as much as a jump shot or a crossover dribble. After Weprin, other businesses followed such as JP Morgan Chase, Subway, Ridgewood Savings Bank, and others. The first two years, Weprin took out $3,500 out of his discretionary fund, and the last three years $5,000 has gone to the camp.
This past Friday, July 14th, Weprin visited the program himself for the first time, bringing an oversized $5,000 check with him. &#8220It's always nice to get a check.” said Sherrod, who also serves as principal at Holy Trinity Community School. &#8220But for me it's even better to see his face and for him to see the structure and the organization these kids are learning.”
Sherrod credited Weprin as the reason for their success. The camp, run by Sherrod and recent college graduates, such as former Rutgers star Mike Sherrod, has exceeded the number of participants each year, following their initial five-year plan. This summer, they have 75 kids per session, an average of 15 more than last year.
&#8220We're starting to build a reputation in the community,” Sherrod said. &#8220People are starting to understand that if you're looking for an alternative to your typical park tournament, if you’re looking for place that is going to be structured, safe and your kids are going to be able to learn like they would at school, then this is the place for you.”