Every spring for the past 9 years, Randy Reisbord AZA in Houston Texas has been putting on our annual wheelchair basketball tournament. The tournament started in 2013 because an Aleph in the chapter wanted to play in Lonestar Reigon #73’s Houston AZAA league, but was very limited on what he could do because he was in a wheelchair. So instead of doing nothing, he was shooting free throws and other things. Another Aleph had an amazing idea to put on a city-wide fundraiser event to allow him to get to play basketball with other people in wheelchairs. The fundraiser benefits many things, but most importantly it benefits “TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation and Research Center” and “The Houston Hotwheeles” Wheelchair Basketball team. 

Our 2022 wheelchair tournament was one of the most successful financially, racking up over $25,000 for charity and Reisbord's scholarship fund, which helps our Alephs go on summer program (CLTC, ILTC, and Kallah) and to International Convention.

On April 23, 2023, we held our 9th annual tournament, the biggest one yet. Bringing in over 150 BBYO members and 25 alumni, including a few teens that came from Austin and San Antonio. Along with actual wheelchair basketball players from “The Houston Hotwheeles” that came to play with us, we were scattered throughout different teams.

For the past 2 years, we have been fortunate enough to have a raffle with some cool items, such as a Lance Berkman signed baseball, a Roger Clemens signed baseball, and a few gift cards to some hot places to eat in Houston.

It's truly amazing to see the impact that a little 3 hour event can have on a group of teens, opening their eyes to a different reality that some live in.