NEW ORLEANS HORNETS FORWARD PEJA STOJAKOVIC RECEIVES NBA COMMUNITY ASSIST AWARD FOR DECEMBER
New Orleans Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic has been named the recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award for December, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and for his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work.
One of the reasons Stojakovic is being honored was the Peja Stojakovic Children’s Foundation’s second annual Peja’s Charitabowl. The benefit, held last month, raised more than $60,000 in proceeds for his Courts for Kids program, an initiative that installs new basketball courts, refurbishes existing ones and distributes basketball equipment to economically disadvantaged areas worldwide. More than 320 people participated in the charity bowling event, including Hornets teammates Chris Paul and David West and New Orleans Saints players Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister.
“I am very appreciative of the continued support from my teammates and coaches, players from the New Orleans Saints, as well as from the local business community,” said Stojakovic. “This year we were able to involve even more people and raise more needed funds.”
Also in December, Stojakovic partnered with Feed the Children to distribute 16,000 pounds of food and personal care items to 400 local families and joined McGraw Hill and International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to distribute more than 15,000 books for youth organizations throughout southeastern Louisiana.
“I believe that reading and education go hand-in-hand and that supporting literacy is an essential part of giving back to the community,” said Stojakovic. “It is my honor to be able to do my part to help youth organizations of Lafourche Parish.”
Stojakovic gives back to the community year-round through the Peja Stojakovic Children’s Foundation. His foundation strives to assist underprivileged children and families both domestically and internationally, as well as educate people worldwide on important humanitarian issues. Through the foundation’s ongoing partnership with IOCC, more than $1 million in assistance has been provided to children and families across the globe.
As the December NBA Community Assist Award recipient, Stojakovic will receive the David Robinson Plaque with the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.” In addition, a $5,000 donation will be given by the NBA to the Peja Stojakovic Children’s Foundation.
The league presents the NBA Community Assist Award monthly to recognize players for their charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.
