Through WolvesCare month, presented by C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation will turn its attention this January to some of the Wolves' smallest fans, but those with the biggest hearts: children suffering chronic illnesses. Throughout the month at each Timberwolves game and at several events across the community, the FastBreak Foundation's WolvesCare initiative will work to make a difference in these courageous children's lives.
"It's a privilege for our organization to recognize and celebrate this courageous and inspirational group of Wolves fans," Timberwolves President Chris Wright said. "It is our hope that this month's programming will not only provide positive experiences for these great kids, but also help to build awareness for some of the illnesses they are living with."
The following events will be a part of this year's WolvesCare Month:
Jan. 1 and Jan. 2 - Grant Presentations: Each month, the FastBreak Foundation works to identify two local non-profits with goals that are closely aligned with the Foundation's monthly theme and bolster their programming through a $5,000 grant. This month's recipients are Miracles of Mitch Foundation and Camp Odayin.
Miracles of Mitch Foundation (MOMF) provides financial and quality-of-life assistance to hundreds of pediatric cancer families. MOMF assists families by making mortgage/rent and car payments, purchasing groceries, hosting a five-day summer camp for current and past pediatric cancer patients and their siblings, hosting Minnesota Miracle weekend getaways, and creating specially-tailored quality-of-life initiatives for kids with an advanced stage of cancer.
Camp Odayin provides a residential camping experience for young people with heart disease, where campers discover outdoor, athletic, and creative activities in a safe and medically supervised environment.
The Wolves presented representatives from Miracles of Mitch Foundation with a $5,000 grant during the Wolves/Mavs game on Jan. 1 and presented a $5,000 grant to Camp Odayin representatives during the Wolves/Spurs game on Jan. 2.
Jan. 4-29 - Heroes in the Making: At eight home games throughout WolvesCare Month, the FastBreak Foundation will recognize a local "Hero in the Making." The Foundation has identified local children battling chronic illnesses and will share their stories with the Target Center crowd on game nights. These inspirational fans will be treated to a suite for the game and recognized in a special on-court ceremony.
Jan. 5 - Reading Timeout (4:00-5:00 p.m.): The FastBreak Foundation will host a Reading Time-Out, presented by C.H. Robinson Worldwide and Hennepin County Medical Center, at Children's Hospitals and Clinics on Jan. 5 from 4-5 p.m. Wolves players Ricky Rubio and Anthony Tolliver and mascot Crunch will be reading a story to the children attending, as well as over the closed circuit television station so the children who are unable to attend can enjoy the story as well. After reading, the players and Crunch will go around and visit various children staying at the hospital.
Jan. 28 - Cooking For a Cause (2:30-4:30 p.m.): As part of The FastBreak Foundation's WolvesCare month presented by C.H. Robinson Worldwide, the Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation is partnering with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetes Association to host 50 children with diabetes for a cooking lesson at the WAY-COOL Cooking School (16544 W. 78th St., Eden Prairie). Several Timberwolves players will be on hand to help teach the children how to prepare some diabetic-friendly snacks and meals.
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About C.H. Robinson Worldwide
Founded in 1905, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., is a global provider of multimodal logistics services, fresh produce sourcing, and information services to 36,000 customers through a network of more than 230 offices and over 8,000 employees around the world. The company works with 49,000 transportation providers worldwide. C.H. Robinson is a Fortune 500 company and had annual revenues of $9.3 billion in 2010.
Through the company and its Foundation, C.H. Robinson and its employees contribute millions of dollars annually to a variety of organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Community Health Charities, American Red Cross, Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, and Global Impact. The company is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and has been publicly traded on the Nasdaq since 1997. For more information about C.H. Robinson, visit http://www.chrobinson.com/.
About the FastBreak Foundation
The Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation provides and supports hands-on programs that positively impact Minnesota youth. Through giving, education and basketball opportunities, the Foundation enables young people to make responsible decisions, contribute to their futures, and experience lifelong memories. In the past year, the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation and the Minnesota Lynx Foundation have combined to impact 2,565 organizations with $1,008,107 in in-kind donations, 60,000 Tickets for Kids donations, 4,328 volunteer hours, 53 Heroes in the Making on-court presentations and 14 $5,000 grants.
