CLEVELAND, OH – The recent 2017 NBA Playoffs and Finals run by the Cavaliers
has, once again, impacted the Cleveland community in many ways and this year’s
“Defend the Land” playoff theme will continue to ring true with all playoff
watch party admission proceeds being donated to the Greater Cleveland Habitat
for Humanity. This year’s total donation was $875,260, the highest total raised
since the program was established during the 2015 NBA Finals. These funds will
help continue and grow the fight against neighborhood blight in Cleveland and
Cuyahoga County.
“This is an extreme point of pride for the Cavs organization and our full Family
of Companies. Helping impact the local fight against blight is something we care
deeply about, not just during the playoffs and The Finals, but year round. We’re
thankful to be in the special position to make this donation possible and work
with an important partner in this fight like Habitat for Humanity,” said Cavs
CEO Len Komoroski. “At the same time, this is a reflection of the amazing fan
support that comes from our community as well. It is highly appropriate that
support during the playoffs can be translated into a positive and very needed
outcome for our neighborhoods.”
Over the last three years of the NBA Playoffs and Finals, the Cavs have now
donated more than $2 million dollars back to Cleveland non-profits and
charitable programs through hosting road game watch parties and conducting 50/50
raffles during home and road games. This year, an additional $60,000 was also
raised from the playoffs game night 50/50 raffle program at The Q, benefiting
several other local non-profits. In total, the season-long 50/50 raffle program
raised over $230,000 for local non-profits and charitable causes.
“This is a once in a lifetime occurrence and we are going to be mindful of the
confidence and trust the Cavs have placed in Cleveland Habitat to help
revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods,” said John Habat, President/CEO of Greater
Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. Added Habat, “we have exciting plans which we
will share in more detail in the near future.”
Fighting blight is a cause the Cavaliers and their affiliated Family of
Companies have been engaged with for years. Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert
and the Cavaliers Family of Companies have helped impact the local fight against
blight by playing the lead lobbying role in securing federal Hardest Hit Funds
to fight blight in Ohio and across the Midwest. Specifically, Cuyahoga County
received $60 million in 2015 to initiate a demolition program for 5,000 blighted
homes. To date, 82% of that has been used to address neighborhood blight in the
city of Cleveland. The Cavs organization also recently contributed $100,000 to
help launch the initial phases of a Western Reserve Land Conservancy program
also focused on local blight elimination.
The Cavaliers and their Family of Companies have also been deeply engaged with
Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity for years, having donated over $325,000.
This past September (2016) the Family of Companies, including the Cavaliers,
Quicken Loans, and JACK Entertainment focused on Buckeye neighborhood efforts
with over 400 staff members donating over 2,000 volunteer hours to help restore
more than 50 properties.
Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity works to eliminate substandard housing by
fully rehabbing houses, strengthening neighborhoods and reweaving communities.
Over the last 30 years, Cleveland Habitat has brought together over 250 sponsor
groups and 80,000 volunteers to help more than 230 Habitat homeowners, including
more than 800 children, have a safe, decent and affordable place to live.
Habitat homeowners reside in homes in 20 different Cleveland neighborhoods.
Recently, Cleveland Habitat launched a three-year initiative to fully rehab 100
homes in Cleveland’s hardest hit neighborhoods, including the Buckeye area. The
Cavaliers and their Family of Companies will also be engaged with this specific
initiative through the period with future watch party donations and support.
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/habitat-for-humanity-170621
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Story Link: http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/habitat-for-humanity-170621
