CHARACTER COUNTS
Phoenix Suns Charities surprise latest members of Devin Booker Starting Five
Dec 9, 2022, 6:17 PM
The Phoenix Suns host the Boston Celtics on December 7, 2022, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images)
The 2022-23 season marks Year 4 of the Devin Booker Starting Five, Booker’s $2.5 million pledge over five years to donate $100,000 to 25 different nonprofit organizations in the Valley.
Booker said on Wednesday that Phoenix Suns Charities are still trying to find ways to surprise the organizations with the reveal.
Back to School Clothing Drive, Homeward Bound, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona, Positive Coaching Alliance — Arizona and The Be Kind Project People all got a special way to learn the news.
After the first quarter during Wednesday’s game, leaders from those five organizations were involved in what looked like a typical game played by a fan during an intermission, with them blindfolded and trying to be guided by fans toward their prize. The prize, though, was their $100,000 checks.
Take a look as Phoenix Suns Charities and @DevinBook surprised five nonprofits with $100,000 each for the fourth consecutive year; continuing Book's $2.5M pledge to support the local community.
Congratulations to this year's Devin Booker Starting Five organizations! pic.twitter.com/bxtVIOB3w9
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 9, 2022
“This is Year 4 now and it’s something that’s here to stay,” Booker said. “I want to thank everybody on the Phoenix Suns Charities board, including Sarah (Krahenbuh) running it and my brother is on the board. They’re really passionate about these projects. They do a good job of selecting the organizations that we use.
“We’re just trying to level the playing field for everybody and give everybody an equal chance out here. We’ve been doing a great job of that and it’s something that we want to keep doing.”
If you would like to join Booker in contributing to the effort from Phoenix Suns Charities, keep an eye out for the latest release of a limited-edition Devin Booker Starting Five hoodie for sale online, which will commemorate this year’s organizations and have proceeds going to Phoenix Suns Charities.
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