Fever Forward Catchings Receives WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for July
August 25, 2011 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2011 - The WNBA today honored Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings' commitment to the community with its WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for July. The Fever captain plays a leadership role off-the-court in the team's community outreach programs as the spokesperson for Get Fever Fit, the team's WNBA FIT initiative, and supports youth development, education, and health and wellness year-round through her Catch the Stars Foundation. This marks Catchings' seventh Community Assist Award, having previously received awards in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Catchings was also named the 2007 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award recipient.
The Get Fever Fit program encourages youngsters to stay active and live healthy. As the team spokesperson, Catchings leads free fitness clinics, camps, and meet-and-greets with boys and girls emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity and a healthy diet. Catchings is also involved year-round with her Catch the Stars Foundation, which she established in 2004. The nonprofit provides underprivileged boys and girls with a variety of educational opportunities, including a scholar-athlete award program that has provided more than $35,000 in college scholarships to high school student-athletes, in addition to hosting basketball camps, health and wellness clinics, and other special events to help youngsters realize their dreams. July was an especially busy month for Catchings and her foundation, featuring a fitness clinic for kids, the fourth annual Catch the Stars Back to School Celebration where she provided 350 students with backpacks and school supplies, and a postgame fun-filled fundraiser for Fever fans on July 31.
"I am passionate about giving back and making a difference in the lives of others," Catchings said. "My Catch the Stars Foundation and participation in Fever community outreach programs enable me to be a positive role model while having a lasting impact on children and families."
In addition to her efforts through the team's community outreach programs and her foundation, Catchings is also an active member of Big Brothers, Big Sisters and is on the board of Special Olympics Indiana. Catchings, who overcame a hearing impairment and a speech impediment as a child, also provides ongoing support to a number of charitable organizations that work with hearing impaired individuals.
The WNBA Community Assist Award is presented monthly during the season to the player who best reflects the league's passion for making a difference in the community. In recognition of Catchings' charitable efforts, the WNBA is donating $5,000 to Catch the Stars Foundation on her behalf.
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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 25, 2011
- Fever Forward Catchings Receives WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for July - WNBA
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