Young brothers' organization gives premiere NBA experience to families with kids in hospital
EDINA, Minn. — Brothers Jack and Sam Hetherington have an undeniable love and passion for basketball.
"We've been playing in leagues and games and tournaments ever since we were about three to four," said Jack Hetherington, 12-year-old co-founder of Rebound Club.
They idolize the players on their home team, the Timberwolves.
"I like KAT, Anthony Edwards & Rudy Gobert," said Sam Hetherington, 10-year-old co-founder of Rebound Club.
As season-ticket holders, Target Center is where some of Jack and Sam's best memories are made.
"We've always been a Timberwolves fan our whole life and love watching them play," said Jack.
They were always special to us. Seeing the players play and it really gave us motivation to start playing like them," said Sam.
At a game four years ago, the tip-off of an idea: Provide a VIP Timberwolves experience for sick children who otherwise wouldn't get to enjoy the excitement in-person.
"To put a smile on the kids' faces that are facing life threatening diseases," explained Sam.
"We've been thinking about this for a while but then we started to take action, said Jack.
They took their shot, creating the Rebound Club.
The original name wasn't as catchy.
"We were going to call it Jack's Club," explained Jack, but Sam wasn't a fan.
Jack and Sam are partnering with the TB1 Fund to allow patients and families at M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital to have a free luxury suite experience at Target Center this season.
"Our goal is to make $80,000 to buy a suite for 20 games so 20 families can watch an NBA game," said Jack.
The preteens' non-profit entrepreneurship includes the design of a Rebound Club website for donations.
In a few weeks, the first family from Masonic Children's will enjoy a suite at the Timberwolves with food, drinks, an NBA Jam machine, and some hand-picked gifts from the boys.
"There'll be little goodie bags and merch in the suite for the families. Gifts cards, t-shirts, and sweatshirts," said Jack.
Jack and Sam already have plans to take their mission to assist others beyond basketball and beyond Minnesota.
"Yeah, we're manifesting to the Twins, the Vikings and the Wild," explained Jack.
"Go to different states. Soon maybe even go worldwide with this company," smiled Sam.
So far, Jack & Sam's Rebound Club has raised $50,000 toward their $80,000 goal.