NBRPA teams up with United Way for Holiday Benefit

WHAT:   The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) chose United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona to be the lead agency in a holiday giveaway of two semi-truckloads of food and supplies to 800 families who have been pre-selected by the following agencies: Interfaith Community Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, Tucson Urban League and Youth On Their Own.

Representing the NBRPA will be Tucson Native (Pueblo HS Grad) and NBA standout Fat Lever, as well as the President and Chairman of the Board of NBRPA, former UA  All-American and NBA Player Bob “Big Bird” Elliott, and his wife, Beverely, a member of the Tucson Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, Behind the Bench (the NBA Wives Association) and a counselor at Palo Verde High Magnet School.

“United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is grateful to the National Retired Basketball Players Association for helping us make the holidays a little brighter for more than 800 families in need in our community,” said Tony Penn, President and CEO of the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.  “Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that one-fifth of all Arizonan’s are living in poverty.  That’s why supporting your United Way is so important.”

WHEN:  Tuesday, December 6 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon

WHERE:  Catalina United Methodist Church Parking Lot at 2700 E. Speedway Blvd. (Between Tucson Blvd and Country Club Rd.)

WHY:  More than 1.1 million Arizona residents—more than 17 percent of the state's population—are receiving food assistance from the government, a jump of 7.2 percent over the past year.

Each family will receive:

- a 25-pound box of non-perishable food items
- a 10-pound box of essentialsand
- a box of Avon products.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA and Harlem Globetrotters. It is a 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to develop, implement and advocate a wide variety of communal and global programs to benefit its members, sponsors and the community. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. Arnie D. Fielkow is the CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes President Robert A. (Bob) Elliott, Vice President Danny Schayes, Treasurer Marvin Roberts, Secretary Steve Hayes, Thurl Bailey, Otis Birdsong, Harvey Catchings, James Donaldson, Gregory “Bo” Kimble, LaRue Martin, and Dr. George W. Tinsley Sr.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF TUCSON & SOUTHERN ARIZONA
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is working to advance the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of Education, Income and Health.  United Way is dedicated to creating long lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of the most significant issues.  Our focus areas include: helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health.  Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.  For more information about the United Way, please visit unitedwaytucson.org.