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, A...

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.

“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.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus
character counts

Character Counts is a registered trademark of the Josephson Institute.

Character Counts

WM Phoenix Open Twitter Photo...

Character Counts

Phoenix Open raises more than $14.5 million for Arizona charities

The hosts of the Phoenix Open, the Thunderbirds, announced they raised a record $14,533,000 for Arizona charities in 2023.

10 days ago

(Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)...

Wills Rice

D-backs Race Against Cancer returns to Phoenix in October

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Race Against Cancer is returning to downtown Phoenix on Oct. 1, beginning and ending at Chase Field.

16 days ago

Maui...

Character Counts

Mercury’s Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor donate 10K to Maui relief efforts

Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi and former player Penny Taylor are donating $10,000 to help recovery efforts in Maui.

1 month ago

Brian Dooley (grey) and Zack Conti (green) (Eastern Michigan football screenshot)...

Wills Rice

Eastern Michigan player gives up scholarship to teammate selling plasma to pay bills

Eastern Michigan OL Zack Conti had played four years as a walk-on selling plasma to pay for his bills, until captain Brian Dooley stepped in.

1 month ago

(Facebook Photo/Phoenix Children's)...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Sports, KTAR host 15th annual fundraiser for Phoenix Children’s

The 15th annual Phoenix Children’s Give-A-Thon takes place this week on KTAR News 92.3 FM and Arizona Sports.

1 month ago

(Facebook photo/The Rack/West Virginia University)...

Character Counts

Two ASU alumni donate to WVU following administration faux pas

The duo donated $700 worth of apple sauce, apple cider vinegar, and 60 other food products to the West Virginia University Food Pantry.

2 months ago

Phoenix Suns Charities surprise latest members of Devin Booker Starting Five