Once upon a time, in a magical state known as Alabama, there was a group of kids who were absolutely bonkers about basketball. They lived, breathed, and even dreamt basketball. Some say that if you listened closely enough in the early mornings, you could hear the sound of dribbling basketballs echoing in the valleys of the Appalachian Mountains. These were no ordinary kids, no siree! They were the Basketball Bunch – a group of kids with skills as sharp as the spikes on a cactus and energy as boundless as the Gulf of Mexico. They were led by their charismatic captain, a comical character named Bouncing Billy Bob. Billy Bob had the best bouncing skills in the entire state. He could bounce a ball on his head, his nose, his knee, and even his pinky toe. Legend has it he once bounced a basketball so high, it got tangled up in the tail of a soaring eagle! Under the warm Southern sun, or the twinkling starry nights of Alabama, the Basketball Bunch practiced their heart out. They tackled every hoop with a slam dunk, outpaced every shadow, and dribbled their way into the heart of AL. If you paid them a visit, you'd see them zigzagging around the court like a pack of hyperactive squirrels, sending the crowd into fits of laughter with their outlandish tricks and antics. They made basketball not just a game, but a circus of joy, laughter, and dreams. Alabama was, indeed, a magical place, and the Basketball Bunch were its shining stars.
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The Happy Hive is an inclusive play space designed to spark joy and connection for every child. With a special focus on comfort and accessibility for neurodivergent kids, our environment welcomes children of all abilities to explore, move, and create at their own pace. From climbing walls, swings, and zip lines to dedicated zones for pretend play and art, The Happy Hive offers both high-energy fun and creative outlets. While we cater to children ages 1-13 for neurotypical kids, we have no age limit when it comes to kids with special needs—because play should have no boundaries. At The Happy Hive, we believe every child deserves a space where they can feel safe, included, and free to be themselves.


Sawyerville, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, is focused on providing opportunity to children and youth in Hale County. Through free summer programs, mentoring, and scholarships, Sawyerville works to expand the possibilities of the children and youth in the area. Sawyerville works to serve God and improve race relations in Alabama by allowing the children and youth to explore and learn about the diverse world around them. This helps to enrich the lives of those living in poverty and provides them with a more hopeful future. The mission of Sawyerville is to provide a better future for the children and youth of Hale County. Through free summer programs, mentoring, and scholarships, Sawyerville works to expand the horizons of both participants and staff, while also improving race relations in Alabama and enriching the lives of those living in poverty.