Watch NCAA at Papa's, help fund cancer research

MOSES LAKE - Basin basketball enthusiasts no longer have to feel guilty about watching hours of National Collegiate Athletic Association coverage.

Fans who cheer for their favorite college teams at Papa's Casino, and order a Corona product, will actually be helping the business raise funds for cancer research.

For every Corona product sold, Papa's will donate $1 to the Jimmy V Foundation. BJ Garbe, of Papa's Casino, said the goal is to raise $5,000 to donate to the foundation.

The promotion started earlier this month, and will continue until the championship game on April 8, he said.

Oscar Rodriguez, of Crown Imports, said Papa's Casino has already raised more than $1,500.

Rodriguez said on a national level, Crown Imports hopes to donate about $5 million to the Jimmy V Foundation. Funds raised during the promotion at Papa's will help Crown Imports reach that goal, he said.

"This is the third year doing this," said Rodriguez. "Crown Imports wants to raise cancer awareness and we usually tie this to March Madness."

The Jimmy V Foundation was founded in 1993, by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, according to a Crown Imports publication. Valvano is best known for coaching the North Carolina State University basketball team from 1980 to 1990.

Valvano died in 1993 of cancer. The Jimmy V Foundation helps fund cancer research and related programs, according to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez also said Crown Imports will donate 5 cents for every case of Corona sold in retail outlets in the United States.

Papa's Casino is located next to Lake Bowl at 1165 N. Stratford Rd. in Moses Lake.