Griner Donates WNBA Cares Award of $5K to One-N-Ten
PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 8: Phoenix Mercury Media Day on May 8, 2017 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has been awarded the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm for the month of June as a result of her efforts to support the homeless and LGBTQ communities in Phoenix.
As the award’s winner, Griner determines the recipient of a $5,000 donation from State Farm, and she has selected One-N-Ten, a Phoenix organization serving LGBT youth, many of whom are homeless, whose youth center was recently a victim of arson. Griner will receive the award in a pregame ceremony on Sunday at Talking Stick Resort Arena, and will subsequently present the check to One-N-Ten Executive Director Linda Elliott.
“I have volunteered at One-N-Ten, I have spoken to their youth and staff at Phoenix PRIDE, and it is an organization I believe in,” Griner said. “I can’t believe someone would take away a safe-space for kids by doing something so violent, but I hope this donation helps a little in their recovery. I’m proud to be a part of the Phoenix community and give back to a place that has given me so much.”
Griner earns the league award after partnering with the Phoenix Rescue Mission for a second-straight year to collect and donate shoes to the homeless as part of her second annual “BG’s Heart & Sole Shoe Drive.” After collecting more than 500 shoes in 2016, fans and teammates donated over 650 new and gently-used shoes to this year’s drive. Griner personally joined Phoenix Rescue Mission in delivering the shoes to homeless across the Valley, as well as providing care packages of socks and water.
