NBA All-Stars to Visit YMCA Programs
Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players make special plans to visit children in Afterschool and Preschool Programs.
On Friday, February 17, from 3-4 PM, Afterschool and Preschoolers at the Taylorsville YMCA Community Family Center are in for an incredibly special afternoon. The Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players are hosting an event at the YMCA, especially for these children, where they will interact with players and fathers. The media team from the NBA will accompany this group, where a worldwide spotlight will highlight their work with the YMCA of Northern Utah.
At the Y, many of our families come from low-income backgrounds and receive scholarships to attend YMCA programs. For them, interacting with NBA players and those connected to them will be the opportunity of a lifetime. The Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players will spend time with participants and their parents, encouraging them to always reach for their dreams and speaking to parents about supporting their children’s goals. They’ll join in with Afterschool activities where they can have meaningful interactions with participants in the program.
During the event, YMCA preschoolers have prepared a few songs to show off the skills they have learned in the classroom while our Leaders-in-Training Group (4th-8th graders) have prepared a skit to teach about our 4 core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, & Responsibility. Four incredible student leaders from the Afterschool Program will receive personalized signed jerseys from All-Star players, recognizing them for their outstanding character as young people. Additionally, the Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players are presenting the YMCA with a donation for the Y Afterschool Program and matching funds from members of the group.
The spokesperson for this event, Chris Jones, said, “We are very excited to partner with the YMCA of Northern Utah. This incredible group of fathers and men see the value in programs like the Y and are happy to support them in any way possible. Our group has always been philanthropic at heart, so we look forward to sharing that with the world, especially with the YMCA of Northern Utah.”
With the support from the NBA, Black Chamber of Commerce, YMCA Board of Directors, and the Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players, we are hopeful this event to draw much-needed community support and, more importantly, provide an unbelievable experience for children that deserve it. We truly believe Utah needs to see this kind of good happening in its own backyard.
For additional information about how the YMCA was chosen for this opportunity, contact Chris Jones from the Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball at (646) 420-8511. For information about the YMCA of Northern Utah, please contact Mandy Lail at (385) 287-8009.
About the YMCA of Northern Utah
Since 1893, the YMCA of Northern Utah has sought to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engaged 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. We are proud to be a part of a nationwide movement that seeks to deliver lasting personal and social change through our programs.
