A PLUS Youth Program hosts an annual Breakfast Banquet in the spring. Our fundraiser breakfast provides us the opportunity to showcase for donors and members of the community A PLUS’ athletic and academic programming. Private donations are critical to sustain A PLUS Youth Program’s services and programming and this event brings the community together to support a common cause.
In consecutive years, Brandon Roy and Martell Webster have shared with guests their development as student-athletes and address the challenges that today’s youth face, workable solutions for the youth of our community to grow to become successful leaders and extraordinary individuals. Even with their athletic accomplishments, Brandon and Martell both emphasized the importance of a sound academic foundation.
The Third Annual ‘Changing the Game Breakfast’ featured Pete Carroll (Seattle Seahawks Head Coach) and Steve Ballmer (Microsoft CEO) as Keynote Speakers, Chris Hansen (Seattle Arena Investor) as a special guest, and NBA Player Support from Jamal Crawford, Martell Webster, Brandon Roy, and Spencer Hawes. A PLUS was able to raise $600,000.
Media
A Plus charity benefits from some big-name boosters
Top names in business and sports work together for youth program
By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter
The morning started with basketball, but this was no ordinary game of hoops.
It was supposed to be a good-natured shooting contest between Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Martell Webster and a handful of kids at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club.
The idea was to make a few shots and pose for pictures before moving on to a breakfast banquet and fundraising for the A Plus Youth Program.
But once the balls got in the air, the competitive juices got going and some good-natured trash talking ensued between the men.
Carroll, the keynote speaker at the breakfast, won the game and enjoyed ribbing the other two.
However, the big winner might have been Tavio Hobson, the A Plus founder responsible for organizing the breakfast and a program that benefits children on the court and in the classroom.
“To have so many people come out and not only share, but support your vision is fantastic and humbling,” Hobson said. “I can’t thank them enough. It takes a team to make a difference and we’ve put together a pretty good team.”
Hobson assembled friends and benefactors, including longtime buddy Brandon Roy, who embodies the best A Plus vision.
“I was that kid,” Roy said. “I had a 1.8 (grade-point average) and I improved that to a 3.2 and passed the SAT. I know kids who were 1.8 students and weren’t able to progress. They didn’t have anybody to say, ‘Let’s do this work.’ ”
Roy enlisted his friend, Webster, who is partnering with A Plus to establish a mentorship program.
Roy also brought Jamal Crawford into the mix….(Continue reading)
Storm a motivator for A Plus Youth Program’s Girls Hoops Squad
Posted by Jayda Evans
Seattle’s hoops glitterati turned out to support A Plus Youth Program’s third annual breakfast Tuesday morning. Names like Martell Webster and Chris Hansen hobnob in an effort to raise money for the foundation that helps youths academically through basketball.
This year A Plus launched a girls team. There are 16 total and they have a combined GPA of 3.5. Tavio Hobson, the A Plus founder and executive director, said his big dream is to have headquarters in the four corners of the Seattle metropolitan area that follow the children through high school whether they succeed or not on the court — as long as they’re successful in the classroom. For now, there are boys and girls middle school teams and NBA star Jamal Crawford is hosting a hoops classic at Spokane Arena on June 30 to raise more money for A Plus.
“Our girls program is our main initiative,” said Hobson, whose program helps kids three days a week in addition to being a traveling basketball team. The girls are playing in Yakima this weekend. “Any expansion we do is going to be with the girls because we feel like it’s so important to be able to give as many opportunities as we can to the girls. Next year will be seventh-grade and eighth-grade teams.”
Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel was part of the breakfast in 2011 and worked with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to help the girls programming for A Plus grow. Since purchasing the franchise in 2008, the Storm owners have been heavily invested in the community, currently participating in WNBA Cares Week.
“What the Storm is doing with Lisa and (CEO/president) Karen Bryant — phenomenal,” Hobson said. “Even after a few meetings, I’m blown away with what they’re doing. They’re really trailblazers for the WNBA and what they’re doing in the community. It’s a part of their mission… and they don’t just do it in the community, they do it with their own players. They help groom and develop them and want their own players to have a significant life beyond basketball.”
That’s Hobson’s goal, too, eventually wanting to help all children regardless of background. I had the chance to talk to some of the girls from the A Plus program. Here’s (back row left to right) Rahel Bakke, 12, Ryan Terry, 13, Bronte Fougere, 13 and (front row left to right) NiRae Petty, 13, Nubia Simpson 13, Kaya Dumas, 13.
