Making a Difference in March

Throughout March the
Sharks Foundation
assisted various Bay Area non-profits focused on education or inclusion through several programs and projects and.
To begin the month, the Sharks Foundation dedicated 50/50 Raffle presented by Black Oak Casino Resort proceeds to
Ariel Outreach Mission
when the Sharks took on St. Louis. The $7,230 donation will be used to purchase computers and other equipment to assist in its tutoring programs that provide Oakland youth with learning strategies in the areas of English, reading and writing for.

A week later it was
Breakthrough Silicon Valley's
turn to benefit from raffle proceeds. The non-profit received $9,535 from its 50% cut of the March 16 jackpot and will use the funds to support its dual mission to prepare motivated middle and high school students with limited educational opportunities for success in rigorous college-preparatory programs and entry into four-year colleges, and to prepare high school and college students to enter careers in education.
On March 18, the Sharks Foundation and
SAP
welcomed guests to SAP Center to reveal a brand-new broadcast media van created by
Midpeninsula Community Media Center
(Midpen), which was made possible through a $100,000 co-sponsored grant dedicated to the non-profit during the 2017-18 season. Grant funding provided high-definition video equipment to create a mobile production studio for Midpen's Youth Sports Broadcasting and Career Horizons program.
The fully-equipped van ensures the program's future success and allows Midpen to give Bay Area youth a chance to develop broadcasting skills that can lead to a career in sports off the ice. The unveiling was emceed by Sharks Play-by-Play Announcer Dan Rusanowsky and allowed guests to explore the vehicle and new gear firsthand. Later that month the Foundation hosted 18 Midpen campers and staff to tour the Sharks Technical Services Control Room, Press Box and the NBC Sports California TV truck before watching the Sharks play Pacific Division rival, the Calgary Flames from a suite.

Additionally, the Sharks Foundation dedicated $12,335 to
Summer Search
through 50/50 Raffle proceeds when the Sharks faced Las Vegas on March 30. Summer Search, a youth development organization, will use the donation to further its mission of closing the educational opportunity gap for first-generation college students through mentorship, experiential learning opportunities, financial aid and counseling.
On the last day of the month the Sharks celebrated its official Hockey Is For Everyone Night presented by Pizza Factory during the Sharks vs Calgary game. The Sharks Foundation dedicated 50/50 funds to
Caminar
, and ultimately provided the San Mateo community-based agency with a $7,975 donation. The Foundation also hosted a used stick in-game auction which raised $4,100 for You Can Play, a non-profit that ensures the safety and inclusion of all in sports.
In-line with the education theme, the Sharks Foundation teamed up with Sharks corporate partner
Western Digital
to dedicate a $35,000 grant to the
American Council of Teachers Inc.
to renovate a community youth space in East Palo Alto into a functional and educational learning center and mini tech lab. The space, which operates as an afterschool and weekend hub for kids ages 7-12 to gather and learn, received structural upgrades and fresh paint, as well as new furniture, tablets, laptops, printers, a projector, software and television.
Throughout the month the Sharks Foundation and
Kaiser Permanente
visited 10 local elementary schools with the help of a Sharks official Kaiser Permanente Team Physician, defenseman Brenden Dillon, Sharks alumni, and team mascot S.J. Sharkie to deliver free street hockey equipment and educational materials outlining the importance of nutrition and active living. This season the
Stick to Fitness
powered Kaiser Permanente program impacted 1,325 students.

The Sharks Foundation also used the month of March as an opportunity to highlight
Goals for Kids
beneficiary
Books Aloud, Inc.
Funds provided to the non-profit at the end of the 2018-19 season will support its flagship program which provides access to audiobooks and listening devices for youth with special needs at no cost.
In total the Sharks Foundation dedicated $76,175 back to the community and impacted 7,690 lives during the month of March.
!Education Month Recap
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