Salvation Army Community Center Children Benefit
from Generosity of Hispanic Business Leaders

More than 200 children and their families receiving services at The Salvation Army Community Center in Oak Park enjoyed the excitement of the WNBA Champion Sacramento Monarchs team win over the Seattle Storm at Family Night with the Monarchs, courtesy of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the National Latina Business Women Association – Sacramento Chapter (NLBWA Sacramento). 

And an exciting night it was, beginning with a business mixer for 60 guests, hosted by Maloof Sports & Entertainment along with a host of good corporate citizens, including Northwestern Mutual and Bustos Media.  John Thomas, president of Maloof Sports & Entertainment, attended the mixer and praised the collaboration to benefit underserved youth.  Thomas expressed Maloof’s hopes that this new partnership will serve as a springboard for future benefit events. 

The event represented the first event partnership of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber and NLBWA Sacramento.  Collectively, the organizations represent more than 700 Hispanic business owners and community leaders throughout California’s capital region. 

“Our desire was to bring the excitement and joy of attending a professional basketball game to children who might not otherwise have this opportunity,” explains Valerie Reynoso, divisional director of Foundations for The Salvation Army, Del Oro Division.  Reynoso, president-elect of NLBWA Sacramento and a member of the board of directors for the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber, noted that both organizations selected children of The Salvation Army’s Community Center and the La Familia Counseling Center to ensure that children from all ethnic backgrounds had an opportunity to enjoy professional women’s basketball this summer.

In addition to the game activities and a special pre-game court show for some of the children, each child received a special gift bag, filled with an assortment of Monarchs goodies, including a t-shirt and commemorative Monarchs WNBA championship ring.

The Salvation Army extends its appreciation to the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, NLBWA – Sacramento and Maloof Sports & Entertainment for their commitment to community service.  Go Monarchs!