DeKALB | For $75, you can buy a cashmere sweater from Calvin Klein, a brand new iPod shuffle or a wheelchair for a handicapped person in an underprivileged country. On Thursday, students have the opportunity to help pay for one of those wheelchairs.

Spin is hosting a basketball game with members of the Rockford Chariots, a professional wheelchair basketball team. Spin is an organization devoted to members of the NIU community who have, or are interested in learning more about, physical disabilities.

The money raised will go toward the Wheelchair Foundation, which collects money to purchase wheelchairs for those who cannot afford them. The foundation has donated over 500,000 wheelchairs so far.

Lisa Gagliano, the founder of Spin, hopes people will come out and support the cause even if they cannot donate any money.

“Even if people can’t donate their money, I hope they can donate their time,” Gagliano said. She said it will be a opportunity to see basketball being played in a unique way.

Gagliano founded Spin in 2005 as a way to socially and actively connect people with disabilities. Gagliano said the planning for this event has been going on for about two months.

In addition to the actual basketball game, there will be a free-throw contest between the NIU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as several vendors. Gagliano said that recreation vendors like Adaptive Adventures and Active Mobility, as well as AM Ramp, an organization that sells ramps for people with disabilities, will be at the event.

There will also be a sign language interpreter at the game to sign the national anthem. Milan said she wants the event to be accessible to everyone so everyone on campus and in the community feels welcome.

“If people are going to come to the game to feel sorry [for those with disabilities] they can stay at home,” Milan said. “It’s going to be a fun learning experience for everyone.”

Lauren Stott is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.