The Suns and Mobile Mini will honor Melanie Isaacs, creator of non-profit PAL Experiences, Jr. Suns participant Leron Avery, and Suns guard Brandon Knight prior to Saturday’s (April 4) Suns-Utah Jazz matchup at US Airways Center. The three will be recognized with a “Community Assist” award, sponsored by Mobile Mini, for their recent community leadership. A special presentation will take place at 6:54 p.m. on the main court. Media interested in covering the presentation should RSVP to SunsPR@Suns.com.
Isaacs saw a need to improve experiences for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and helped found PAL Experiences. PAL Experiences works to achieve the next level of accessibility. By partnering with different facilities and events, PAL creates custom preparation tools that make experiences more predictable, approachable and enjoyable for guests with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Isaacs and PAL Experiences recently teamed up with the Suns to create an innovative interactive program that makes attending a game more enjoyable for all fans.
Knight joined his fellow Kentucky Wildcats, Eric Bledsoe and Archie Goodwin, to offer a dinner with Coach Hornacek and Managing Partner Robert Sarver to a group of eight during a live auction at the annual Phoenix Suns Charities gala, “The Jump Ball”. The dinner, which generated over $25,000, will directly benefit children and families in Arizona. Since its inception in 1988, Phoenix Suns Charities has invested more than $15 million in the community.
Avery, a 9th grade Jr. Suns’ participant at the Kino YMCA, a part of YMCA of Southern Arizona, has stood out as an excelling student, taking honors courses during his freshman year of high school. In addition to being a leader on the court, Avery volunteers during fundraising events and aspires to one day serve in the Air Force and then become a police officer.
Each month during the 2014-15 season, the Suns and Mobile Mini honor one member of the community, one Jr. Suns/Jr. Mercury player, and one Suns player with a “Community Assist” award for their volunteer efforts throughout the state of Arizona. Suns community ambassador and alumnus, Steven Hunter, who received the NBA Community Assist award during the 2004-05 Suns season, presents the award each month, along with this month’s Mobile Mini representative, Chris Anderson, Vice President of Inside Sales. Since 1983, Mobile Mini, which is headquartered in Phoenix, has provided secure storage and office solutions to millions of customers across the U.S., while also remaining a standout community leader.
In addition, Phoenix Suns Charities raises money for local non-profits during each Community Game Night with a text-to-bid opportunity at Section 115 in the lower-level concourse, where fans can also get information about Suns Charities non-profit partners. Fans can participate by texting SUNS to 95577 for the auction item of the week. New to US Airways Center is the Suns Memorabilia store in Section 108, which features game-worn Suns uniforms and autographed merchandise available for sale. A portion of the proceeds from the Memorabilia store will benefit Phoenix Suns Charities.
Fuel the Fire and download the Suns Mobile App, powered by Verizon, for an all-access look at the Phoenix Suns as the team prepares for Saturday’s (April 4) matchup against the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. The game tips off at 7 p.m. Single-game tickets are available at Suns.com or 602-379-SUNS.