Doing Good
During January's Mentor Month, the Utah Jazz participated in a virtual speaker series aimed at helping HBCU students find a more direct pathway to a career in sports. This series featured speakers with backgrounds in sports marketing, broadcasting, communications, ticketing and business development.
Vivint Arena and three Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres served as polling places for the general election on Nov. 3, as the Jazz collaborated with players, coaches, staff and civic leaders to promote participation in the electoral process. The team used its resources to encourage voter registration and educate Utahns about the state's vote-by-mail system. The Jazz signed on to "Rally the Vote," a nonpartisan coalition of more than 50 professional franchises across seven sports leagues, to inspire fans to make their voices heard.
The Jazz organization added its voice to the chorus of NBA players, coaches and staff demanding change in the face of systemic racism and inequality in America. The team's activism took many forms during the hiatus and NBA Restart in Orlando, including statements on the backs of the players' jerseys, continued discussion during team meetings and media availabilities, and harnessing social media as a platform for expression.
The Jazz and Mountain America Credit Union continue their long tradition of helping fans pass along a donation to a charity of their choice.
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In response to the increased community need due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies launched "Driven to Assist," a massive state-wide food drive that collected the equivalent of 36,000 meals for the Utah Food Bank. The second phase of the campaign solicited blood donations at Vivint Arena to benefit the American Red Cross, becoming the region's largest blood drive with 715 donated pints.
Joined by sports franchises, universities and athletes representing the state of Utah, the Jazz unveiled "Lead Together" in 2019, a long-term commitment to cultivating and promoting a community culture of inclusion and belonging.
For the second-straight season, Jazz center Rudy Gobert contributed $1,000 per blocked shot at select games to charitable organizations of his choice. Through his Rudy's Kids Foundation, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year's blocks generated more than $20,000 in donations in 2019-20. Gobert also donated $500,000 to benefit COVID relief across multiple communities and contributed $20,000 each to benefit Salt Lake City children impacted by school closures and the refugee community. The big man hosted holiday parties for families in need, invited special guests to Jazz games and held postgame meet-and-greets throughout the season.
The full Jazz team, along with the Jazz Dancers and Jazz Bear, made their annual visit to Primary Children's Hospital in February. The Jazz have been visiting the hospital for more than 25 years, where players and members of the organization brighten the day for young patients and their families.
"Game Night with the Utah Jazz," the team's annual charitable event, raised more than $350,000 for Make-a-Wish Utah and Larry H. Miller Charities. The gathering, which the Jazz have hosted for the last 21 years, included all Jazz players spending time with guests throughout the evening.
Jazz players and staff helped uplift families with holiday cheer during "Season of Giving" throughout November and December 2019. The holiday events benefited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake (Mike Conley); Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake (Tony Bradley); Candy Cane Corner (Danté Exum); Bradley Center, Family Promise and Neighborhood House (Rudy Gobert); Spectrum Academy (Joe and Renae Ingles); Parkview Elementary School (Georges Niang); Candy Cane Lane (Niang and Royce O'Neale); Utah Community Action (Nigel Williams-Goss); The Road Home (The Zone Sports Network); and Tiny Tim's Foundation and homeless services (Jazz employees).
The Miller family and Larry H. Miller Group of Companies hosted 3,000 residents in need for the 21st annual "We Care – We Share" Thanksgiving Meal at Vivint Arena in November 2019. The event was held in partnership with the Salt Lake City Mission, Utah Food Services and Salted Honey Hospitality.
Jazz forward Joe Ingles and his wife, Renae, a decorated Australian netballer who represented her country in the sport, contributed $54,000 to support firefighters on the front lines of devastating bushfires in their native Australia. The Jazz forward also joined eight other Australian NBA players in partnership with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association Foundation to commit $750,000 towards relief and recovery efforts. The Ingles family partnered with the Jazz to design a "Support Australia" T-shirt that was on sale at the Jazz Team Store in January 2020, which contributed more than $15,000 to fundraising efforts.
Jazz forward Georges Niang partnered with the American Heart Association to host a CPR training for Junior Jazz youth during American Heart Month in February 2020, joining with the National Basketball Players Association to donate $10,000 to help purchase 100 CPR take-home kits. At games throughout February, the third-year Jazzman hosted and met with heart survivors.
During "Hoops for Troops Week," Jazz forwards Jeff Green and Georges Niang hosted 100 local military members and their families for an afternoon of bowling. The Jazz paid tribute to service members at their game against Milwaukee on Nov. 8, 2019.
The Jazz and Zions Bank held an art contest encouraging students to portray an inspiring action, influential moment or barrier breaker in Black history. The winners were invited to the Jazz vs. Washington game on Feb. 28, 2020, where their artwork was on display for Jazz players.
5 For The Fight is the charitable cause created by Jazz partner Qualtrics, which encourages everyone to give at least $5 to the fight against cancer. Worn on all Jazz jerseys, it is the only cause-related jersey patch in the NBA. At the beginning of the 2019-20 season, Qualtrics reaffirmed its commitment to cancer research by continuing to donate the patch on all Jazz jerseys to 5 For The Fight through 2023.
Sixth-graders Emma Peterson and Kapri Peterson from Carden Memorial School in Salt Lake City won the NBA Math Hoops National Championship in September 2020, representing the Jazz during the competition that encourages students to learn fundamental math skills through the game of basketball. The Jazz also hosted "Math Hoops Live" with Jazz two-way player Jarrell Brantley and Salt Lake City Stars forward Wyatt Walker in January 2020. NBA Math Hoops, with support from Larry H. Miller Charities, engaged 3,500 students from 50 schools and programs across Utah in 2019-20.
