Charlie Lovely’s deep respect, love and admiration for the game of basketball during his lifetime was well-known to his coaches, fellow players and peers. Lovely, who played on the hardwood for Maddox Middle School, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2008 at age 16, formed the LiveLovely Foundation out of the deep love and care he felt for the children and adolescents he met in the oncology unit while he was being treated — with the hope that he could help others through his struggle.

After his tragic passing in Jan. 2009, the LiveLovely Foundation pledged to continue his work in helping raise funds and awareness for research projects focusing on improving care for adolescents and young adults.

This year, the foundation’s member were eager to start a tradition that they hoped would continue for years to come — a summer basketball camp, where young girls and boys could learn the aspects of teamwork and sportsmanship, while honing their skills on the court — to help raise awareness for the foundation and the struggle that people with leukemia endure.

“Charlie’s family and I have been wanting to hold a basketball camp ever since he created the foundation, so we can get the community involved and help the younger generation gain a love and appreciation for the game,” said Julianna Hallman, Lovely’s best friend and junior board member of the LiveLovely Foundation. “We all felt that learning basketball in an atmosphere these young people will enjoy while also helping to raise awareness for leukemia and our organization is something Charlie would have wanted to see and we were eager to make it happen. It’s our hope that it will be an annual event and one that young people will look forward to.”

The camp will be administered by former Walker County high school players, as well as current college players and area coaches, such as Forrest Hudson, Allison Farris, Andrew Gainey, Jack Norris and Brianna Marbury.

The camp will be held from July 9-12, 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Glen Clem Gymnasium at Bevill State’s Jasper Campus for rising first through sixth graders, with girls and boys camps available. The cost for one child is $75. The price for two children will be $120 and $195 for three attendees. The cost will a camp t-shirt and attendance fees and all proceeds will be donated for cancer research and awareness for young adults and adolencents.

The deadline to register is June 25. Registration packets can be obtained at the Jasper Natatorium and both Jasper Hibbett Sporting Goods locations. Payment for the camp can be made to the Livelovely Foundation on the day of the camp or to P.O. Box 802, Jasper, AL 35502. For registration and camp information, contact Hallman at 300-5312, jhallman@samford.edu or visit www.livelovely.org.