CARMEL- Carmel Rotarians kicked off their 18th annual Carmel Rotary Basketball Challenge Thursday with a goal to raise $70,000 by the time baskets are made at the Carmel High School gymnasium on March 1.

Challenge co-chairs Al Lotrecchiano and Mary Shanley encouraged organizations, clubs, adults and youth along with local businesses to sign up and raise money for their favorite non-profit.

“It’s easy and fun,” said Lotrecchiano. “You don’t have to be a basketball player or know how to play the game to participate.”

Shanley said “participants ask for pledges per basket or a flat donation from as many supporters as they can muster. Baskets are shot during a two-minute period.”

The Rotary’s goal is off to a good start since more than $13,000 has already been pledged.

Since 2006, the challenge has raised more than $675,000 for 91 non-for-profits countywide.

Lotrecchiano traced the history of the Challenge. In 1979, the Carmel and Lake Mahopac Rotary chapters conducted what was called the “Rotary Shootout” when $6,700 was raised. Baskets were pledged each year through 1989 when the fundraiser was discontinued.

It was updated in 2008 when $6,500 was raised and then it took off years later with $70,000 raised in 2020, $62,000 in 2021, $66,000 in 2022 and another $65,000 last year.

It was noted 90 percent of all monies raised are returned directly to the organization for which pledges are made with the remaining 10 percent going towards scholarships and other programs sponsored by Rotary.