The Highland and WACO basketball teams joined forces to collect toys for children spending the holidays in the hospital. On Thursday, the price of admission to the Highland vs. WACO boys and girls basketball doubleheader was the donation of a toy. Highland Boys Basketball Coach Bill Zywiec explained it was an effort at his former school and he helped to bring it here where it was warmly received by the girls program and the WACO staff. He says it’s a way for the schools to come together and help others, “It’s just a great thing for both schools. I know we’re out there competing for W’s in basketball games, but there’s bigger issues going on out there right now. There’s families that are not going to be able to spend the holidays at home together. And this is just a good way for us to remember that and give back a little bit.”

Coach Zywiec shared what he hopes the student-athletes carry away from the experience, “I just hope they see the giving part. You know, that we can come together and do a great thing with two communities and give to somebody who needs it right now during this time in the season. A lot of times we get caught up in the getting part of Christmas and it’s nice to see the other side of it, giving it to somebody who actually needs it.”

The toys that were collected for all ages were donated on Friday at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.