As the team prepares for the upcoming season, here's a look back at some of the Bucks summer activities focused on uplifting and improving the Wisconsin community.
“VolunDeers”
Since its introduction in June, the Milwaukee Bucks “VolunDeers” have dedicated 393 hours to making a positive change in Milwaukee. Refreshing paint in MPS classrooms, making stress balls for military Veterans, serving food to those in need and reading to toddlers are a few summer projects VolunDeers worked on with community partners. The all employee initiative encourages 100% employee participation in volunteerism throughout the community. These efforts will continue into fall as the team gears up for an intense NBA season.
Milwaukee Bucks Basketball Camp Scholarships
Twelve young basketball lovers had an unexpected surprise when the Milwaukee Bucks Foundation granted scholarships to attend a week long Milwaukee Bucks Youth Basketball Camp. Cortni Crum, mother of scholarship recipient Trinell, says this gave her son the opportunity to explore his new passion for basketball. “The scholarship helped tremendously,” she wrote in a thank you to Milwaukee Bucks camp staff. “We have been truly blessed.” This is the first year camp scholarships were awarded through the foundation.
Running Rebels Community Garden
Crunchy, fresh vegetables hand grown by Running Rebels youth will be available for the surrounding community starting next spring. Partnering with Groundworks MKE and Running Rebels in July, VolunDeers joined youth interns from Milwaukee Urban Gardens to build a community garden with six garden beds near downtown Milwaukee. Furthering the Bucks goal of improving youth health and wellness, the project will emphasize healthy eating and provide a mentoring activity for Running Rebels mentors and their youth.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Own Your Future Career Night
Childhood dreams of entering the NBA often leave out the business side of things, but Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors brought their youth to a Milwaukee Bucks Own Your Future night to expand their mentees’ horizons and bring the business side of basketball into view. Fifty mentor-mentee pairs went through stations with current Bucks employees who explained what happens behind the scenes of an NBA team. This event continues the Milwaukee Bucks “Own Your Future” career series hosted throughout the calendar year.
Bango’s Community Crew
Wind whipping through his antlers, Bango led a crew of Bucks employees, families and friends through 10 fundraising races throughout the Milwaukee area. In total, 83 participants ran, biked, or walked over 782 miles. Bango’s community crew continues its support of fundraising races throughout the entire year.
Statewide Caravan Tour
The wheels on the bus had a little extra bounce as the Milwaukee Bucks “Own the Future” Statewide Tour, presented by Pick ‘n Save, toured Wisconsin with Thon Maker and Malcolm Brogdon in tow. Bringing together thousands of fans across the state, the tour stopped in 28 locations including museums, community organizations, restaurants and grocery stores. The statewide road trip reinforces the Bucks commitment to not only representing Milwaukee, but also the entire state of Wisconsin.