More than Just a Sport
The National Basketball Association has been one of the top spectacles in sports where millions of fans watch their favorite game through the television, in the teams’ home courts, and even in the Internet as streaming media. As a way of showing the appreciation for the support the public has given the league, the NBA has been reaching out to the communities.
On March 11 2009, The Detroit Pistons conducted a charity telethon Wednesday and raised more than $440,000 for Feed the Children (FTC). All proceeds went to food distribution programs across the state of Michigan beginning with Metro Detroit. During the match with the New York Knicks, spectators were encouraged to support the event by signing pledge forms or sending cell phone messages with their donations for Feed the Children. Player Quentin Richardson of the Knicks donated after hearing the promotional announcement during the match.
Feed the Children received considerable help from two of the entertainment industry’s biggest names: the Marshall Mathers Foundation and Jimmy Buffett. Employees also did their parts by securing a number of churches and companies across Metro Detroit to fundraise.
Moreover, more than 50 educational institutions also supported the drive — students created their own fundraising programs by conducting drives.
For it to be supported by members of the NBA and the communities, Feed the Children certainly has been acknowledged as a worthy not-for-profit organization.
