Phoenix Suns Charities has named Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley as the $100,000 Playmaker Award grant recipient for 2013-14, as announced during this afternoon’s Phoenix Suns Charities grants reception at US Airways Center.
“We are thrilled to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley with this year’s $100,000 Playmaker Award grant,” said Robin Milne, Executive Director of Phoenix Suns Charities. “The generosity of our Playmakers will offer thousands of children and their families a safe place to enjoy recreational games and events.”
The $100,000 grant will be used to resurface the basketball courts in eight Boys and Girls Club locations in the East Valley: Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Komatke (Gila River), Mesa, North Tempe, Tempe and Sacaton (Gila River). More than 74,000 children and their families use the courts on an annual basis for recreational sports leagues, health and wellness programs and events, and other community initiatives. In addition, each resurfaced court will feature the new Suns logo.
“We are overwhelmed with excitement to receive the Playmaker Award grant this year from Phoenix Suns Charities,” said Ramon Elias, President and COO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley. “Our members will be very excited to play on freshly refurbished floors just like the Suns play on. We are very thankful to the Phoenix Suns for choosing us.”
The Playmaker Award is Phoenix Suns Charities largest annual grant, given to a local non-profit that provides support to children in our community. Organizations that apply for the Playmaker Award grant are narrowed down to three by the Phoenix Suns Charities board. The largest Phoenix Suns Charities donors, known as the Playmakers, select one of the three organizations to receive the Playmaker Award grant.
A Playmaker pledges $100,000 over a maximum of four years to Phoenix Suns Charities, helping to guarantee the long-term future of good work for children throughout Arizona. Those interested in becoming a Playmaker can contact Robin Milne, Executive Director, Phoenix Suns Charities at SunsCharities@suns.com.
ABOUT PHOENIX SUNS CHARITIES:
Founded in 1988, Phoenix Suns Charities is the non-profit organization and philanthropic cornerstone of the Phoenix Suns. It was formed with the mission to enhance the lives of Arizona’s children and their families by actively creating and supporting programs in the areas of education, health, human services, the arts, rehabilitation and sports and recreation. Throughout the past 26 years, more than $14 million has been contributed to more than 200 charitable organizations in Arizona.