
SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 26, 2008 – Maloof Sports & Entertainment announced today Joe and Gavin Maloof will close its offices on Monday, March 31 for its fifth annual Day of Volunteerism to celebrate the legacy of Cesar Chavez. Together with presenting partners Wells Fargo, Raley’s & Bel Air and Comcast, Sacramento Kings players and all full-time Team Members of Maloof Sports & Entertainment will refurbish The Center for Fathers and Families’ newly-acquired facility in a single day.
“This is the fifth consecutive season we have celebrated the memory of Cesar Chavez with a Day of Volunteerism,” said Joe Maloof. “To truly honor Mr. Chavez’s lifelong contributions to humanity and his commitment to community service, we decided to make the holiday a ‘day on’ instead of a day off for our employees. We are thankful for the opportunity to give to an organization like The Center for Fathers and Families that provides such a vital service to our community.”
Founded in 1994, The Center for Fathers and Families (CFF) is expanding its services with a transition to its newly-acquired facility in Del Paso Heights. It is a non-profit agency dedicated to responding to the needs of fathers and their families by offering programs and services that lead to family growth, enrichment and empowerment.
“Thanks to the Sacramento Kings, Wells Fargo, Raley's & Bel Air and Comcast, The Center for Fathers and Families will now be able to help more Sacramento families grow and succeed," said Rick Jennings, Executive Director of The Center for Fathers and Families. "We are honored to be the recipient of the Cesar Chavez Day of Volunteerism."
“Like Maloof Sports & Entertainment, Comcast is committed to serving the communities where we live and work,” said Dan McCarty, General Manager for Comcast Sacramento. “Comcast is proud to donate two years of free Internet access to The Center for Fathers and Families, and we hope the service allows the students to increase their world of knowledge and understanding.”
“At Raley’s, the family unit is the foundation of our company’s culture,” said Bill Coyne, President and CEO of Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, “so we are extremely pleased to participate in the Cesar Chavez Day of Volunteerism to benefit the very deserving recipient, The Center for Fathers and Families. We share their passion for protecting and preserving the family, and are delighted to contribute resources to encourage healthy lifestyles and foster family interaction.”
“At Wells Fargo we believe we’re only as good as the communities we serve,” said Felix Fernandez, Northern California Regional President for Wells Fargo. “Maloof Sports & Entertainment and the Sacramento Kings share this vision of community service. We've been a long-time partner of The Center for Fathers and Families and we're looking forward to working with Raley's & Bel Air and Comcast to help make a difference in the Sacramento community."
Wells Fargo will add a special room in The Center to feature its financial literacy program, Hands on Banking, as well as program support through the Wells Fargo Foundation. Comcast will donate two years of Internet service to the facility and Raley’s & Bel Air will donate two toddler play areas complete with a Raley’s Kids Kitchen and Bel Air Book Bungalow.
Two hundred volunteers will also complete a reading lounge, a youth game room which includes a foosball table, pop-a-shot, ping pong table, television and video game system, an outdoor play area and a landscape beautification project. A fresh coat of paint will be used in every room and new furniture, electronics, equipment and art will be used for the project.
In 2004, Maloof Sports & Entertainment became the first private, non-agricultural organization to recognize California’s new Cesar Chavez Day as a holiday. Cesar Chavez’s belief that people have an obligation to contribute to their community mirrors the Maloof family’s commitment to community service.
The final product will be unveiled to the children of The CFF in the afternoon during a special celebration attended by the Sacramento Kings team. After the unveil, Kings players will be on-hand to interact with the kids in the newly-renovated rooms.
ABOUT MALOOF SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Maloof Sports & Entertainment includes the Sacramento Kings (NBA), Sacramento Monarchs (WNBA) and ARCO Arena. Led by Joe and Gavin Maloof, and owned by the Maloof family with long-term, local partners, the organization is committed to the community in Sacramento and to making a positive, meaningful difference in the lives of families in need and at risk in the Sacramento region. Maloof Sports & Entertainment has donated more than $13 million to the Sacramento region in nine years of Maloof family ownership.
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