3RD ANNUAL
CELEBRITY CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME
2019 EVENT RECAP #PRESSPLAY
LOCATION: DEMOCRACY PREP HIGH SCHOOL
SPONSORED BY: THE AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
THANKS TO ALL OUR CONTRIBUTORS EVERY KID THAT ASKED FOR A BIKE RECEIVED ONE!
PICTURED (BACK LEFT TO RIGHT) JASON GIPSON, NICOLE WILLIAMS, JOHANNA PEREZ
OUR WHY
“Drop the Guns Pick Up A Ball” Charity Basketball Game presented by The Aids Healthcare Foundation this year benefited Youth Sports Group Athletic Konnections ran by Jason Gipson. In which, their mission is to promote athleticism and scholarship for the urban youth by providing positive role models who exhibit sportsmanship and academic expertise. Our main objective was to raise awareness in the City of Las Vegas about the global issue of teenage gun violence affecting our communities. This year our goal was to giveaway bikes, basketballs, and footballs to kids that were in attendance at our event with their families. The purpose was to create a platform to introduce our youth sports programs, kid friendly social groups focusing on the art of dance and music. All entertainment during event were kids which was important to show the community their peers excelling in the arts and entertainment field. Part of the proceeds collected will be donated to Athletic Konnections Program. In 2018, the 3 on 3 Basketball tournament raised $1,000 including donated basketballs, hoops, and tv’s to families collected from Vegas Urban Pride, Set Life Images, and the Las Vegas Community.
This year the Las Vegas Community came together again to help raise funds, and collect bikes, basketballs, and footballs. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of Vegas Urban Pride's friends, family, local businesses, sports agencies, political figures, and good samaritans that contributed to ensure our Basketball Tournament was a success.
Teenage Gun Violence is near and dear to the Founder of Vegas Urban Pride Johanna P. Perez's as her mother was gunned down at the age of 7 leaving behind 6 kids. The Founder’s business partner Nicole Williams cousin was murdered by a 15 and 17 year while in the middle of planning this event in the summer of 2019. This event hits home for the both of them every year, and will forever be apart of Vegas Urban Pride Weekend taking time to give to the community while creating a safe space for families to come out and have some fun.