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NBA on Top of its Game for Hurricane Relief
Written by
Fran Kritz
, Special to Redcross.org
Friday, October 07, 2005 — When it comes to raising funds for victims of the recent hurricanes, professional basketball players are fielding an all-star team.
Just days after Hurricane Katrina struck, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s Basket Ball Association (WNBA) pledged to raise $1 million for the American Red Cross, and in the weeks since the two hurricanes hit, teams and fans have exceeded that commitment, to the tune of $2.43 million!
Golden State Warriors' point guard Baron Davis greeted staff and volunteers and signed autographs at the American Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 2005, expressing his apprecation to the workers for their dedication in helping hurricane survivors.
(Photo Source: Leigh-Anne Dennison/American Red Cross)
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Among the first players to make both a team and personal commitment was Golden State Warriors star point guard Baron Davis.
“I played for the New Orleans Hornets for three years,” said Davis, who donated $50,000 to the Red Cross. “The damage to the city from Hurricane Katrina is irreplaceable. The news coverage has been devastating to watch and my heart goes out to everyone impacted. Thousands of people are homeless. We all know someone who needs help right now. Everyone can make a difference, even $5, just by calling the Red Cross help line.”
Davis, whose own home in New Orleans has suffered some damage, has friends there who have “lost their homes and their livelihoods.” He has spoken with friends many times by phone. “I’m trying to be as positive as I can when I talk with them.”
Baron Davis of the Golden State Warriors, Diana Taurasi of the WNBA and Hall of Fame member Bob Lanier tour the national Disaster Operations Center at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 2005.
(Photo Source: Kelly Taaffe/American Red Cross)
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Davis lent that positive spirit to staff and volunteers of the Red Cross when he, Diana Taurasi of the WNBA and Hall of Fame member Bob Lanier visited the organization’s headquarters in Washington D.C. last month to greet staff and volunteers.
“I saw people who were working 18-hour shifts, and I was glad to have a chance to thank them on behalf of everyone,” Davis said.
Pacesetter contributions of $500,000 each came from Sheila Johnson, owner of the Washington Mystics, and the Paul G. Allen Foundation, representing the owner of the Portland Trailblazers. Individuals who made $100,000 donations included Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, Abe Polin, owner of the Washington Wizards, and Alan Henderson and Larry Hughes, both of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Team efforts to solicit fan donations have often been creative and entertaining, including online auctions, halftime activities by team members and personal appearances by many players.
An updated list of efforts by the WNBA, the NBA, teams and individual players on behalf of hurricane victims is available online.
Fran Kritz is a freelance writer from Silver Spring, Md. She is working with the Disaster Public Affairs unit at Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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