Davidson College, local businesses and sports fans are getting ready for the college’s 4th annual Kicks from Cats, collecting money and shoes on behalf of the Access to Success Foundation (A2S), which supports a free school and basketball camp in Benin City, Nigeria. The weekend effort culminates Monday night, Feb. 6, at 7 o’clock when the Wildcat men’s basketball team plays Wofford at Belk Arena.

This year’s expanded Kicks from Cats events again included WhiteOut Belk, a shoe drive and the sale of the 2012 Kicks from Cats T-shirt in advance of the Wofford game. Local restaurants also are joining the effort with fundraisers throughout the weekend. And Pro Skills Basketball, founded by former Davidson basketball players Brendan Winters and Logan Kosmalski, will hold a free charity clinic at Belk Arena before to the Chattanooga game on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Fans are asked to wear their white Kicks from Cats T-shirts or other white shirts to Monday’s game. More info: davidsonwildcats.com.

All proceeds from the weekend benefit Access to Success (A2S), the foundation incorporated by former men’s basketball player Andrew Lovedale ’09 that supports underprivileged youth in his hometown of Benin City, Nigeria, through programs based on faith, sports and education. Since its founding in February 2009, Kicks from Cats has sent about 17,000 shoes to Nigeria.

Collection bins will be in the lobby of Belk Arena prior to the Chattanooga (Saturday, Feb. 4) and Wofford (Monday, Feb. 6) games, and fans donating a pair of new athletic shoes will receive a voucher for a free ticket to a future men’s basketball game.

A2S, which supports a free school and hosts an annual basketball camp in Benin City, Nigeria, also collects sports equipment and school supplies. For a complete A2S wish list of donated goods, visit a2sfoundation.org, or email info@a2sfoundation.org to organize a shoe drive at your school, church or business.

This year, local schools have joined in the Kicks from Cats effort, as Community School of Davidson, North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville, Whitaker Elementary in Winston-Salem, and Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology in Charlotte have organized shoe drives to support Access to Success.

RESTAURANT EVENTS

Summit Coffee will host a happy hour benefit at its new Freckled Dog Pub from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3. Friends of A2S will serve as charity bartenders and donate their tips to the cause. A portion of the proceeds from a selected beer, as well as a $5 suggested donation at the door, will benefit A2S.

The Brickhouse Tavern will donate a portion of the proceeds from a special menu – including “The Lovedale Pizza” – before and after the Davidson men’s basketball games on Saturday, Feb. 4, and Monday, Feb. 6.

Brooklyn South pizza in Cornelius will donate 10 percent total sales from Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse in downtown Davidson will offer a set brunch menu for $10 and a $5 mimosa special on Sunday, Feb. 5. Ten percent of the proceeds from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be donated to A2S.

Visit a2sfoundation.org for more details on these specials, or email info@a2sfoundation.org to organize a benefit.

PRO SKILLS BASKETBALL CLINIC

Pro Skills Basketball will hold a free hour-long basketball clinic at Belk Arena prior to the Davidson men’s basketball game against Chattanooga on Saturday, Feb. 4. The 25 youth, ages 8-12, who raise the most funds for A2S will be guaranteed a spot in the clinic, which is sponsored by Davidson College.

The top individual fundraiser will win an autographed Stephen Curry youth basketball jersey, courtesy of the Davidson College Bookstore. Participants must email their fundraising totals ($25 minimum) to info@a2sfoundation.org no later than 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 2 and will be notified of their acceptance the following day. All others will receive a voucher for 10 percent off a Pro Skills Basketball summer camp. Clinic spots include the one-hour clinic, a slice of pizza and a soda, a short tour of the Davidson campus and a voucher for a free ticket to a future basketball game. For more information about Pro Skills basketball visit,
proskillsbasketball.com.