Game of Hope to feature one of Valley’s leaders

YOUNGSTOWN — The Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley is announcing the “Nominate-A-Player Award” for its Game of Hope Charity Basketball Classic.

The Game of Hope Classic is a charity basketball game that benefits chronically/terminally ill children in the Valley, so that they may have the experience generally afforded by healthy children.

The event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010 at Youngstown State’s Beeghly Center.

The teams will be comprised of local celebrities, community leaders, dignitaries and media from the area, which tips-off at 4 p.m.

The award will be given out to the person that donates their time and effort to the Valley.

The winner gets to participate in the event alongside the local politicians, community leaders and other notables. This award is a way to give back to that person and what they have accomplished, by recognizing them for their involvement for the work they do in the community. In addition, it gets people involved that might not be otherwise.

Over the past five years the Game of Hope events have raised nearly $40,000.

Persons who want to nominate someone for the award should go to the Hope Foundation’s Web site, hopemv.org, and click the NOMINATE-A-PLAYER link on the right side of the page and follow the instructions. All entries must be received by Jan. 6.