The New York Liberty’s Tina Charles not only makes an impact when she is on the basketball court. She does so away from the hardwood as well, and her efforts have named her a finalist for a major honor.
ESPN announced that Charles is one of four finalists for the 2016 Sports Humanitarian of the Year Award. The other nominees are the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, Brent Burns of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, and Carlos Dunlap from the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals.
Congrats to @tinacharles31 for being named a finalist at the 2016 Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards. #ENSPIRE pic.twitter.com/wTOHvUYaZ2
— Hopey’s Heart (@HopeysHeartFDN) June 16, 2016
Charles founded the Hopey’s Heart Foundation in honor of her late aunt who died of multiple organ failure in 2013. In addition to donating half of her WNBA salary the past couple of seasons in aiming to reduce the number of student-athletes that succumb to Sudden Cardiac Arrest, she has also partnered with various organizations to place Automated External Defibrillators in schools, athletic organizations, and recreation centers.
The foundation was the subject of this feature conducted by Holly Rowe of ESPN.
The award, which is in its second year, was won by Tamika Catchings last year. She also won a $75,000 grant for her Catch The Stars foundation that aims to encourage youth to pursue their dreams by promoting fitness, literacy, and development. She beat out the NHL’s Henrik Lundqvist, the NFL’s Anquan Boldin, and the WWE’s John Cena. All four finalists received $25,000 for a charity related to her or his humanitarian initiatives.
Laila Ali, who hosted last year’s event, will return for this year’s festivities. It will take place on July 12 at The Conga Room at L.A. Live and will air on ESPN on July 15.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
