Members of the Ceres community are rallying around the Reynolds family.

The "Hoops For Hope: Kase's Game" fundraiser will be held at Central Valley High School on May 28 at 7 p.m.
The benefit basketball contest will pit Central Valley versus Ceres High staff.

Kase Reynolds was diagnosed with chromosome 5q14.3 deletion syndrome, a neurocognitive disorder characterized by epilepsy and intellectual disability, at the age of four months.

Kase's parents, Mike and Katharine, have both worked for Ceres Unified School District.

Mike, a support teacher at Central Valley, also coaches the Hawks' track and field and cross country teams.

Katharine was employed by CUSD for seven years prior to taking time off to take care of Kase. She taught P.E. at Cesar Chavez Jr. High during the 2012-13 school year. She spent the bulk of her career at Central Valley as a dance teacher.

"I want to relay how much we appreciate everything the district and community has done," said Mike, who grew up and attended schools in Ceres. "It's nice to have colleagues that care. It's humbling. You don't ever plan for anything like this. You learn along the way. It's definitely been hard. The whole year has been put into perspective as far as what's important."

Kase, who will celebrate his first birthday on May 22, has spent a large portion of his life at doctor's appointments and in therapy.

"There are only about 30 documented cases throughout the world," Mike said. "It's a rare genetic disorder. The doctors can't explain it."

Mike plans to play in the first quarter of the benefit game.

He'll sit with his family, including wife Katharine, son Kase and three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Kylie, during the final three periods.

Food will be sold and a silent auction will be staged beginning at 5 p.m.

To offer support, contact Vicki Brenner at 209-324-0496 or vabrenner@att.net.

"It's hard to believe how nice people are," Mike said. "Everybody's been super supportive. It's been pretty cool to see. We definitely feel blessed."