Leo Loeks is a shy, blonde five-year-old boy who smiles a lot and proudly reports that he goes to school in Young 5s. Leo is the oldest son of Megan and Bill Loeks of Hastings, who also are parents of Woody, 3, and Archer 1. Mom is a photographer and busy with three little boys, dad is in the U.S. Army National Guard where, “he goes to work every day,” Leo said.
Leo is going to a basketball game Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Hastings High School, where he will get to shoot for a basket and he’s been practicing his free throw technique. What he doesn’t realize is that the basketball game was organized by the Hastings Police Department officers, reserve and cadets, just for him, to raise money to give to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in his name.
Leo goes to the hospital in Grand Rapids for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed in June, 2016. He has a port in his chest where he gets “medicine” and gets to play in the play room; his favorite activity is the race car track. He also likes puzzles and is very good at coloring.
Mom said staff at the hospital interact with the kids, distracting them during treatment. Sometimes the sessions are very long, so that helps.
Leo took a tour of the police department and Hastings City Hall Monday, met Mayor Dave Tossava and some city staff, saw a lot of police equipment and handcuffed Sgt. Kris Miller.
The basketball game involves a lot of people; teachers from Hastings schools will play the game against a group of men and women from the Hastings Police Department, the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police and the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office.
The police department personnel donated money, the Cookie Company, Mexican Connection, and Kloosterman’s Sports Bar donated gift cards for their products, Sav-A-Lot is supplying water and pop, the Band Boosters will run the concession stand, hold a bake sale and donate the proceeds from the food. Laser Wash, Attorneys Tripp and Tagg, Miller Real Estate, Bail-Tek, Flex Fab, Total Health Center of Lake Odessa and Battle Creek and M-43 Auto Body also donated.
Courtside Screen Printing and Embroidery printed the tee shirts at a steep discount. Leo has a mini-tee to wear at the game, with the number 5, his favorite number, and a police badge printed on the front.
The organizers sold 123 tee shirts to raise money and are charging $5 to attend the game.
It may be well worth adding a donation to the price. Hastings Police Chief Jeff Pratt has said publicly that despite having “players” from all area law enforcement, and even a ringer from the prosecutor’s office, they are having trouble finding five to put on the floor. “We’re in big trouble,” he said.
Or, he may be just softening up the teachers, who have several outstanding players. It all happens tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Hastings High School gym.
Photos: Upper left: Leo Loeks has no trouble handcuffing Sgt. Kris Miller during his visit to City Hall.
Middle left: Mayor Dave Tossava talks with constituent Leo Loeks during his tour of City Hall.
Lower left: Mom Megan Loeks sits with son Leo at the Hastings Police Department He’s a student at Star School in the Young Fives program.
