Austin Gutwein, who founded Hoops of Hope at age nine, will host the 12-city series from April through August 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Synergy Production Group today announced the 2010 launch of the Hoops of Hope All-Stars Tour to raise funds for projects benefiting AIDS orphans in Africa. Deemed "the world's largest free throw festival," the events will take place across 12 cities throughout the United States, beginning in April through August 2010.
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The Hoops of Hope All-Stars Tour (www.hoopsofhopeallstars.com/) will benefit Hoops of Hope, a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by then nine-year-old Austin Gutwein. Austin was moved to action after seeing a video by World Vision, a relief organization, about a girl named Maggie from Zambia who lost both her parents to AIDS. Austin was sponsored a dollar a shot by friends and businesses to shoot 2,057 free throws on World AIDS Day, one for every child orphaned from AIDS during an average school day. Since then, Hoops of Hope events have helped fund a school, medical clinic, water system and two orphan hope centers in Zambia.
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"After meeting Austin and hearing his story, we knew immediately we would join the cause. He is truly inspirational. Our entire team has been moved to action to help Austin take this to a new level," said Carl Taylor, CEO of Franklin, Tennessee based Synergy Production Group, producer of the events. "Hoops of Hope has raised more than $1.5 million to date in its six-year existence. We want to quadruple that amount in the next 12 months by combining our production strength with Austin's passion to help others," Taylor said. One hundred percent of funds raised by free throw shooting go directly to projects across twelve African communities.
Below is the schedule of events in each U.S. city with corresponding aid recipient areas and types of projects:
San Antonio, TX (April 10): Zamtan, Zambia [Health, School, Economic]
Oklahoma City, OK (May 1): Makungwa, Zambia [Water, School]
Charlotte, NC (May 8): Mbala, Zambia [School, Economic]
Atlanta, GA (June 12): Twachiyanda, Zambia [Water, School]
Philadelphia, PA (June 19): Sinagongwe, Zambia [Water, Economic]
Orlando, FL (June 26): Kapululwe, Zambia [School, Economic]
Minneapolis, MN (July 10): Adama & Quacha Bira, Ethiopia [Water, School, Economic]
Dallas, TX (July 17): Nyamagabe, Rwanda [School, Economic]
Portland, OR (July 24): Uganda [School, Economic]
Sacramento, CA (July 31): Ching'anda, Malawi [School]
Anaheim, CA (August 7)::Mwingi, Kenya [Economic]
Denver, CO (August 14): Angola [Health]
"I'm thrilled to have the Synergy team working with Hoops of Hope to make this the largest free throw festival ever. This is an opportunity for anyone to make a difference and have fun while doing it. We want to take 15 million shots, one for each child orphaned by AIDS," Austin said.
"We believe that businesses can do much to help others," Taylor said. "We have an obligation to create lasting impact and bring social justice to those who could easily be forgotten."
About Hoops of Hope:
Hoops of Hope (www.hoopsofhope.org) is a 501c3 organization based in Mesa, Arizona that was founded in 2003 to raise money for AIDS orphans in Africa. Thousands of people from 17 countries have participated in Hoops of Hope events, raising more than $1.5 million to date.
About Austin Gutwein:
Austin Gutwein founded Hoops of Hope at age nine. He is the co-author of "Take Your Best Shot," the story of the start of Hoops of Hope and extraordinary experiences in helping AIDS orphans in Africa.
About Synergy Production Group:
Synergy Production Group (www.synergyprg.com/) creates and produces live events that connect musical artists, causes or brands with audiences. Based in Franklin, Tennessee, Synergy is a turn-key solution, offering strategic content development, creative design, audio, video and lighting production, talent procurement and complete program management.
About World Vision:
World Vision (www.worldvision.org/) is an internationally recognized humanitarian relief organization working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Hoops of Hope channels 100% of funds raised through World Vision on projects in Africa.
SOURCE Hoops of Hope
