Atlanta Hawks Foundation Announces 2009 Charitable Grant Recipients

$40,000 awarded to Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, Girls On The Run, North Metro Miracle League and the Ryan Cameron Foundation

The Atlanta Hawks Foundation has announced the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, Girls On The Run, the North Metro Miracle League and the Ryan Cameron Foundation as the recipients of its 2009 charitable grants. Each organization was awarded $10,000 from the Hawks Foundation.

“During these tough economic times, we recognize that many non-profits are being asked to provide services to more people and to do so with fewer resources,” said Tracy White, Atlanta Hawks Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “As a result, the Hawks Foundation is particularly pleased to be able to award grants this year, and it is our hope that these funds will allow our partners to serve even more communities and individuals.”

The Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy provides books for preschool children in all 159 counties in Georgia. Children who register for this program receive a book at their homes every month through the U.S. mail until their fifth birthday. Additional literacy support materials are also provided.

Girls On The Run educates and prepares young girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living by empowering third-eighth graders to have a stronger sense of identity and positive self image. Groups of 16 girls meet twice a week at Atlanta area schools, parks and community centers where they discuss social issues and participate in physical fitness activities. The curriculum covers three topics – Self awareness and self care, selecting healthy relationships, and empowerment and community service – and culminates in a non-competitive 5K race for group members.

The North Metro Miracle League provides adapted sports programs and inclusive social activities for children with disabilities in the Atlanta area. The Hawks Foundation’s grant will help fund the organization’s Summer Fitness Day Camp, which features seven weeks of physical therapy facilitated by special education/adapted PE teachers and teen volunteers.

The Ryan Cameron Foundation seeks to create healthy transitions from childhood into adulthood for Atlanta area youth by offering resources and programs designed to empower, inspire and encourage positive growth. The Hawks Foundation and Ryan Cameron Foundation are teaming-up to create the SALUTE Program, which will focus on helping kids understand working together to achieve a goal as well as overcoming barriers and obstacles. The program also includes the Fourth Annual Youth Golf Clinic and Youth Health Fair.

The Hawks Foundation makes grants to non-profit, tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Visit the community section of www.hawks.com for more information.

Atlanta Hawks 2009-10 season tickets start as low at $10 per game and are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.hawks.com or calling 1-866-715-1500. New this year, fans also have the option of purchasing the exciting 13-game Playoff Plan, which includes the home opener and 12 additional games versus 2009 playoff teams – including the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Celtics. Groups of 20 or more can guarantee their ticket purchases before the public on-sale date by placing a deposit through the Hawks ticket sales department at 1-866-715-1500 or www.hawks.com. Individual regular season game tickets will go on sale at a later date. The Hawks, a member of the National Basketball Association since 1949, play in the Southeast Division, along with the Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.
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