Utah Foster Care Assisted by Friends of the Utah Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY (December 8, 2008) - As part of its community outreach efforts, the Utah Jazz has collaborated with Friends of the Utah Jazz to aid nonprofit charitable organizations in the local community.  Throughout the season, each time Jazz players log an assist $20 will be donated to a specific charity on a monthly basis.

During November, Jazz players logged 449 assists, generating $8,980 for Utah Foster Care Foundation.  At halftime of the December 3 Utah vs. Miami game, Kevin O’Connor, general manager of the Jazz, presented a check to Kelly Peterson, chief executive officer of Utah Foster Care.

Utah Foster Care Foundation works to meet the needs of children in Utah’s foster care system.  This includes recruiting potential foster families and providing the necessary training to become licensed.  The organization also offers additional support through respite care and acts as an information resource.

Throughout the 2008-09 Jazz season, one community agency per month will be selected as a recipient of a Friends of the Utah Jazz donation.  During December, the team is raising money for the Family Support Center, an organization that offers parenting classes to adults and short-term crisis/respite care to children who are at risk for abuse.