American Red Cross CT Chapter Partners With Harlem Globetrotters For Charity

From The American Red Cross CT Chapter: The American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter has joined forces with the Harlem Globetrotters as its official charity partner through the team’s Great Assist initiative to help people in Connecticut prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters big and small. The Globetrotters will play two games in Connecticut this February supporting the Red Cross.

Known globally as the Ambassadors of Goodwill, the Harlem Globetrotters’ Great Assist initiative, which was launched in October 2015, promises to spread 100 million smiles over the next decade through sportsmanship and service. As part of a two-year partnership, the Red Cross will engage the Harlem Globetrotters nationally and locally in all aspects of its mission. During the first year, the team will join the Red Cross, along with local fire departments and other community partners, as the organization works to install its one millionth smoke alarm by October 2017 to help Americans stay safer from home fires. The Red Cross Connecticut Chapter has already installed nearly 10,000 throughout Connecticut.

“We’re honored to join forces with the Harlem Globetrotters in Connecticut through our disaster response efforts and much more,” said Mario Bruno, CEO, American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region. “The fun and interactive way the team engages with the community will help to build greater awareness around our mission and the critical need to help people at risk for and impacted by disasters every day.”

In 2016, the Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region responded to more than 800 disasters, making it a devastating year for thousands of families affected by home fires and more. In fact, the Connecticut and Rhode Island Region responds to about two home fires per day.

“This partnership brings two great American organizations together in order to achieve a common goal—to help people in need and to put smiles on people’s faces,” said Howard Smith, President of the Harlem Globetrotters. “We look forward to helping the Red Cross achieve their goals by incorporating their messaging into everything we do on and off the court.”

The Harlem Globetrotters will feature the Red Cross at more than 300 games throughout the basketball season, including:

• Saturday, February 18
  
  • XL Center
  • Hartford
  • 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Friday, February 24
  
  • Webster Bank Arena
  • Bridgeport
  • 7:30 p.m.

The game will feature a Red Cross PSA and in-game player announcement. For more information visit: http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/tickets.

Image Via Shuttershock