The money will go Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, Coalition of Hawaii, an organization that assists women, children and families in the state.

“After many trips to the island, enjoying their spectacular beaches and amazing culture, creating family memories for life, we are moved to take action,” Taurasi said in a video posted by the Mercury. “We are donating $10,000 and we ask you, X-Factor and anyone else who sees us to join us in our efforts.”

Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor are donating $10,000 to Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, Coalition of Hawaii.

We want you to join them in supporting this mother focused organization to help in the recovery of the devastating wild fires in Maui.
💜 Donate here:… pic.twitter.com/Fe5AjHM7Up

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 18, 2023

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, Coalition of Hawaii is based in Honolulu and provides meals, cribs, clinical services and new parent support.

It set up a 24-hour hotline to assist pregnant and postpartum people and a mobile health clinic, along with sending formula, diapers and other supplies from Oahu, according to its Facebook page.

Follow @AZSports

“Zack Conti has had to pay his way through school for four years,” head coach Chris Creighton said. “In the fall, the guy was selling his plasma to be able to pay the bills. We are at 85 scholarships. … I ask the NCAA if there was any way we could have 86. They said no.

“That was until Brian Dooley steps into my office and said, ‘Coach, that guy has earned it. I have talked it over with my family and if there is a way to make this happen, I am willing to give up my scholarship for Zack Conti.’ I have never heard or seen anything like that before.”

Dooley was able to stand up in the team meeting and had Conti his scholarship before the team erupted during its meetings.

Zack Conti has played four years of football at Eastern Michigan as a walk-on.

At one point, he was selling his plasma to help pay bills.

Today — ahead of his final season — team captain Brian Dooley gave up his scholarship for Conti.pic.twitter.com/etgMoomLXH

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 3, 2023

The Eastern Michigan football coach has been in the position for 10 years and said the selfless act is a reminder of how close a football team can become.

“I did it because I’ve seen Conti grow over the years,” Dooley said.

“Seeing him walk away from something that he loves did not sit well with me. He works hard and gets extra work with me all the time. In my eyes he earned it 100%, giving up my scholarship so he can stay and play means everything. I’m proud of what he has become and cannot wait to see what he does on the field.”

Phoenix Children’s needs your help to continue its lifesaving work.

This week, the 15th annual Phoenix Children’s Give-A-Thon, presented by Valley Hyundai Dealers and Ak-Chin Indian Community, takes place on KTAR News 92.3 FM and Arizona Sports.

The event will air at various times on all shows throughout the week before a return to in-person fundraising at the hospital on Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On KTAR News 92.3 FM, it will air daily between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. and between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Arizona Sports.

Give-A-Thon for Phoenix Children’s sets record by raising more than $2 million

Hear stories from 2022 Give-A-Thon for Phoenix Children’s with KTAR, Arizona Sports

Every show will dedicate one segment per hour to the hospital and its services.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with KTAR and Arizona Sports,” said Steve Schnall, senior vice president and chief development officer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“These funds go a long way in helping the patients who need it most at Phoenix Children’s. Every donation counts and gets us closer to our goal.”

The hospital is looking for Champions of Hope to pledge $20 per month.

Those who do will have a teddy bear delivered to a patient in their name on the TRANE Teddy Bear Express. They will also receive a choice of a Wildlife World Zoo kids pass or a $20 gift card to Angry Crab Shack.

Call the Yrefy Phone Bank at 602-933-4567, text “GIVE” to 411923 or 620620, or visit here to donate and receive more details.

As the the largest radio hospital fundraiser in the country, the fundraiser last year brought in a record $2.03 million in donations. Since 2009, it has raised more than $20.3 million.

With hundreds of thousands of patients and visits, Phoenix Children’s continues to need help.

Be a Champion of Hope this week and help save lives. Special thanks to our sponsors The UPS Store, Ace Hardware, Carl’s Jr., Presidential Pools, Mattamy Homes.

Follow @AZSports

A pair of Arizona State alumni are taking up a good cause following a faux pas by the school’s administration.

Nick Lough and Michael O’Connor donated $700 worth of apple sauce, apple cider vinegar and 60 other food products to The Rack: West Virginia Student Food Pantry.

Dear @gordongee, @WVUAlumniAssoc & @WestVirginiaU students…

Both @Mike__OC and I would like to apologize for comments ASU leaders made about your school a few days ago. Please accept this donation to your campus food bank. We are grateful you supported our Big12 move. #GoDevils pic.twitter.com/I2W1FnK3jm

— Nick Lough (@NickLough) August 9, 2023

This was prompted by what Ray Anderson, the ASU vice president for university athletics, admitted were “clumsy comments.”

He said on Saturday, “I promise I’m not going to Morgantown,” as he sat alongside university president Michael Crow.

“I’m going to assign that to (deputy athletic director) Jean Boyd. He can go to Morgantown. But send me to Texas and the rivalry with Arizona and starting a new one with BYU and Utah and Colorado,” Anderson said.

On Wednesday, speaking with Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta, Anderson apologized for those comments.

“Although those comments were said in jest and taken out of context, they were clumsy comments from me that I sincerely regret,” Anderson said. “Because I offended some people when no offense was intended, and for that I apologize. I sincerely do.

“So I called [West Virginia athletic director] Wren [Baker] Monday and we had a chance to talk and I explained the context. He graciously accepted my apology and certainly said he’d pass it on to their president Gordon Gee, who I know.”

The theme of apples came after the administration took a shot at the Pac-12’s proposed streaming deal with Apple.

That didn’t stop Lough and O’Connor from stepping up and doing good, though.

Here’s what Lough had to say in a press release issued by the Sun Devil fans:

First impressions are important and we want West Virginia University students, alumni and Big 12 leaders to know that many Arizona State Faithful are thankful for the opportunity to play against some wonderful institutions on the field and that we will support our new friends off it.

The Rack serves more than 200 students each week and has two locations on campus.

Follow @AZSports

The second through sixth grade children were treated to the shopping spree at Going, Going, Gone located inside the Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe.

All of the children are part of ICAN’s nationally-recognized out-of-school time prevention programming that is offered free to kids. It is designed to teach vulnerable youth real-life skills including goal setting, positive decision-making and how to avoid risky behaviors.

“Seeing the kids’ faces light up when they were shopping alongside one of football’s greatest stars was really something special,” said Kyle Kennedy, Bell Bank’s Phoenix president and Arizona banking director.

Fitzgerald is featured in Bell Bank’s advertising and social media and provides exclusive experiences for Bell Bank customers and connects with the bank in paying it forward through charitable work in the community.

“To be able to have partners like that and see these smiles of these young people, it makes you feel like what you’re trying to do is worthwhile,” Fitzgerald said.

Follow @AZSports

The first stage of the Tom Izzo Football Building is officially complete! ✅@realdsnow takes us through the first look of the brand new Locker Room!#RELENTLESS pic.twitter.com/OBoTxjJLas

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) August 3, 2023

The 65,000-square-foot Tom Izzo Football Building includes a new indoor field, a new weight room and a cafeteria for all student-athletes.

All past and present Michigan State sports programs and student-athletes will also have the opportunity to benefit from the advent of the Spartan For Life Fund, another idea of Ishbia. The fund is designed to launch and enhance their post-sports careers.

“From the first day he joined our basketball team and in the years following, I’ve watched Mat continue to make an impact for the betterment of others, taking the lessons he learned at Michigan State and instilling them in his company,” Izzo said in a statement in 2021 announcing the donation. “Every day, as a member of the team, Mat wanted to improve himself and others around him, knowing that on every successful team, just as in business, everyone has a part to play. He has never relented that attitude.”

According to MLive.com, of Ishbia’s $32 million donation to MSU in February 2021, $20 million was earmarked for expansion of the football facilities and named after Izzo, the Hall of Fame basketball coach whom he played for from 1999-2002. Other donors and the university made up the difference for the total $78 million price tag for the facility.

Completion of the facility is anticipated this fall.

Follow @AZSports

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and his family surprised four underprivileged children with a back-to-school shopping spree on Monday, according to AZCardinals.com.

The four local children are being raised by their grandparents and had no idea they were going on a shopping spree with Murray.

“It was genuine, real love. These kids are amazing, and they are grateful,” Murray told AZCardinals.com after shopping.

The kids were allowed to put whatever they wanted into the cart, including shoes, clothing and the new Cardinals uniform.

Created by Dana Burns in 2018, “A Permanent Voice” helps marginalized youth, seniors and families in South Phoenix find their own voice through education, resources and connection, its website reads.

Burns was beyond ecstatic with the signal caller’s charitable contributions during the shopping spree.

“We got a little bit of heaven today,” Burns said. “These are some kids with traumatizing situations. To see them smile, it’s just a blessing. It’s a joy.

“You can feel the joy, and they don’t even have to smile, but you can feel it. It’s a blast.”

Murray had said during the latest episode of Cardinals Flight Plan that one of his goals moving forward as a pro was to give back to the community more.

His actions Monday certainly help in accomplishing that.

Before the final game of the series against St. Louis on Wednesday, the Arizona Diamondbacks donated $5,000 to Cardinals veteran pitcher Adam Wainwright’s charity, Big League Impact, as part of his “retirement gift.”

Big League Impact partners with professional athletes through sports-related fundraising platforms to help people meet basic human needs like food, clean water, medical care, shelter and education in an effort to save lives, restore dignity and instill hope, according to the website.

Thank you to the @Dbacks for honoring Adam Wainwright with their donation to @BigLeagueImpact prior to tonight's game! pic.twitter.com/5OC7LKNbx8

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 26, 2023

“I’d like to send out a huge thank you to the D-backs for their special gift to our charity Big League Impact yesterday! Also, great job on the video beforehand! I will never forget your generosity,” Wainwright tweeted Thursday.

The charity is run by Wainwright, Orioles pitcher Kyle Gibson, Reds pitcher Luke Weaver and Rays pitcher Zach Eflin.

It has raised over $8 million since 2013 and impacted millions of lives with over 130 charities supported such as Food For The Hungry, Water Mission and Striking Out Poverty.

The charity was originally founded by Wainwright — an 18-year MLB veteran — as a fantasy football fundraiser but has now worked with over 80 MLB players. D-backs shortstop Nick Ahmed and Weaver were both a part of the the first fantasy football league in 2013.

Just a year ago as a member of the Diamondbacks, Weaver and the rest of Big League Impact raised $17,000 for Consider the Lily, a home for trafficked and exploited girls in Manila, Philippines.

“As an athlete, you only get a few years to have a platform like this. … Might as well stand on it,” Wainwright said on the website.

Follow @AZSports

The organization announced Monday that it is continuing its partnership with Valley of the Sun YMCA and Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores to help young girls who want to hoop.

“Bringing the WNBA All-Star Game to Phoenix would not have been possible without the support of our community partners,” Mercury and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia said in a release on Monday. “Our organization will include the community in everything we do on and off the floor. These partnerships with the Valley of the Sun YMCA and CPLC will bring the importance of basketball to more kids across the Valley and, specifically, support the young women who want to play. We will continue to find more ways to use the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game to invest in our community.”

The Mercury, in conjunction with the Valley of the Sun YMCA, will initiate an all-girls youth basketball league in January. The club will cover registration costs and uniforms, while supporting marketing and advertising.

The franchise, working alongside CPLC, will renovate the facility’s basketball court. 

“Community is at the heart of everything we do,” Mercury and Suns chief executive officer Josh Bartelstein said. “Whether playing the game or cheering in support, everyone should have the opportunity to be part of the basketball community. Thanks to our community partners, we will be able to open doors for more girls and families to experience the joy and passion of basketball.”

The Mercury and Suns have worked with the Valley of the Sun YMCA for 24 years while the teams and CPLC have worked together for more than 35 years.

On Wednesday, Coyotes prospects Dylan Guenther, Logan Cooley, Conor Geekie, Maveric Lamoureux and Josh Doan will be among other camp attendees visiting the Boys & Girls Club Piper Branch in Scottsdale from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for an afternoon of arts, crafts, games and hockey.

The event offers fans a rare opportunity to meet their NHL heroes shoulder to shoulder and learn from the best.

The Coyotes have been in camp at the Ice Den in Scottsdale since Monday and the camp will culminate with the Black & White scrimmage game on Friday.

Goalie Michael Hrabal was the top selection of the 2023 NHL Draft that is attending at the camp.

Hrabal was a second round draft pick from the Omaha Lancers of the USHL.

The Coyotes two first round picks were both chosen from Yaroslavl Jr., a team based in Russia.

Defenseman Dmitri Simashev and winger Daniil But are both under contract for the Russian squad, preventing them from participating in Coyotes team activities this offseason.

Follow @GrandpaKeebs

The Arizona Cardinals announced the team will send 260 high school students to Washington, D.C. for the 2nd annual Civics Matters Arizona program.

The team is partnering with the Close Up Foundation and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to send the students on the team’s plane.

The trip will be a four-day, three-night event from June 14-17 giving the students a chance to take meetings with elected officials, issue deliberations and instructor-led visits to monuments, memorials, museums and government institutions, according to a press release.

Civics Matters Arizona targets a diverse group of students in Title 1 communities. It aims to engage students with their peers, the government and can help the teachers build dialogue in the classrooms.

In 2023, Civics Matters Arizona reached 1,500 high school students in the state and 260 were selected by their teachers to attend the trip.

There will be 30 schools, 20 school districts, 14 cities and six counties across Arizona represented on the trip.

The students had an essay contest in which they could write about (one) how young people can be involved in their community or government, (two) the political values that are most important to the health of our democracy, or (three) how we can build a “more perfect union,” according to the release.

Manager Torey Lovullo, as well as two D-backs players, presented Cabrera with a $10,000 check to the Miggy Foundation.

Additionally, the D-backs gave him a retirement gift with a free stay at Talking Stick Resort.

Before today's game, to celebrate @MiguelCabrera's outstanding career, the #Dbacks presented him with a $10,000 donation to his foundation as well as a retirement vacation at Talking Stick Resort. Baseball will miss you, Miggy! pic.twitter.com/7EzhkSRrh8

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 10, 2023

Cabrera is one of the best to play the game and is currently in his 21st season in the bigs after being an undrafted free agent with the Florida Marlins in 2003.

Over his illustrious career, he has notched two American League MVP awards, four AL batting titles and has been named to 12 MLB All-Star teams.

Cabrera became the fourth player to ever win a Triple Crown, batting .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBIs in 2012. He joined Carl Yastrzemski (1967), Frank Robinson (1966) and Mickey Mantle (1954).

The D-backs, as a part of the new rule that allows every team to play each other at least once regardless of league, are in the midst of a three-game set in Detroit, the last time Arizona will see the Tigers this year.

Arizona looks to go for the sweep of Detroit at 8:35 a.m. on Sunday on 98.7, the Arizona Sports app and ArizonaSports.com.

The Arizona Diamondbacks donated $25,000 to combat Lou Gehirg’s Disease on Friday, contributing to MLB research extraordinaire Sarah Langs’ #FistBumps4ALS initiative.

The D-backs posted a photo of manager Torey Lovullo and pitcher Tommy Henry fist bumping on the field to participate in the challenge Langs started to benefit Project ALS, which funds scientific research to better understand the brain disease with no known cure.

OH MY GOODNESS

Thank you so much to everyone involved at the @Dbacks 😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺💕💕💕 https://t.co/NycY4bs5vr

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 3, 2023

Langs announced that she had ALS last October and has been a leader in raising awareness. Her fundraiser has raised over $60,000 as of Friday night, more than doubling her initial goal of $30,000.

She was honored at Citi Field on Friday, and the New York Mets also contributed to Project ALS.

In partnership with @MLB, the @Mets and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation are proud to honor Lou Gehrig Day at @CitiField by recognizing New York City native and MLB analyst, Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports). Langs shared her ALS diagnosis last year and in honor of her courage and… pic.twitter.com/KDi1G85LpH

— Amazin' Mets Foundation (@AmazinMetsFdn) June 3, 2023

Each MLB broadcast booth will also display a Langs Star on Friday, which can be purchased online with proceeds going to Project ALS.

The league is also auctioning 30 Lou Gehrig bats autographed by current players for the cause, including D-backs infielder Ketel Marte, ex-Arizona outfielder Daulton Varsho and Detroit Tigers youngster and former Arizona State standout Spencer Torkelson. The auction ends on June 12.

June is ALS Awareness Month, and teams around MLB raised awareness to efforts combating the disease on Lou Gehrig Day:

Prior to today's game some of our players joined fans battling with ALS. #LouGehrigDay pic.twitter.com/gtiBPzPU6V

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 2, 2023

We're proud to honor the life and legacy of Lou Gehrig and everyone affected by ALS on this #LouGehrigDay pic.twitter.com/z7H95FL2Im

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 3, 2023

Hillary Prince, @Jonah_heim6's mother-in-law, is currently battling Bulbar Onset ALS.

On this #LouGehrigDay, she threw out the first pitch to Jonah as we continue in the fight against ALS. pic.twitter.com/eU54RHrTT8

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 3, 2023

The White Sox recognized #LouGehrigDay by welcoming individuals directly impacted by ALS.

Visit https://t.co/RwsmwO9TVT to see how you can help in the fight against ALS. pic.twitter.com/Pr0njWVqvi

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 3, 2023

Follow @AZSports

The presentation was on behalf of the Nicole Hazen Fund for Hope to benefit the fight against brain cancer for Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

Nicole Hazen, Mike’s wife, died in August after her battle with glioblastoma. The fund in her name was set up to help patients access treatment and support.

The $200,000 donation was matched by The Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation for a total of $400,000.

“Nicole and I created the Nicole Hazen Fund for Hope to give others fighting glioblastoma access to the Ivy Center’s innovative therapies and state-of-the-art treatments,” Mike Hazen said in a press release.

“The hope is through continued funding of the cutting-edge research the center is doing, that we can get closer to a cure for this aggressive and treatment-resistant disease and keep Nicole’s legacy alive. My family and I are incredibly thankful for the matching donation from The Women’s Board of Barrow.”

The presentation was made with Dr. Nader Sanai, the chief of neurosurgical oncology at Barrow Neurological Institute and director of the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, who threw out the first pitch.

D-backs players wore shirts to honor the Nicole Hazen Fund for Hope during pregame warmups, and the team’s 50/50 raffle during the game was set to benefit the Ivy Brain Tumor Center.

#Dbacks players sporting shirts in honor of Nicole Hazen during practice this afternoon.

You can join us in supporting #braintumorawareness by purchasing #DbacksGiveBack 50/50 raffle tickets now at https://t.co/kW7VHd5CFG

Proceeds benefit @IvyBrainTumCtr pic.twitter.com/KxLLKPY9PN

— D-backs Give Back (@DbacksGiveBack) May 27, 2023

The 50/50 raffle eclipsed $50,000 by the fifth inning.

“We are honored to have the continued support of the Nicole Hazen Fund for Hope, the Women’s Board and the Rick Oehme Foundation. Each of these parties has been directly impacted by brain cancer and we, at the Ivy Center, are inspired by their commitment to find a cure,” Sanai said.

Follow @AZSports

The Arizona Cardinals donated 125,000 meals to the United Food Bank in a partnership with Albertsons/Safeway on Friday.

Cardinals 2023 draft picks and undrafted rookies were among those in attendance to help pack meals and present a $25,000 check to the food bank in Mesa.

Cardinals cheerleaders, team staff members and Albertsons/Safeway employees were also lending a hand throughout the event.

“Food is more than just a meal on a plate,” United Food Bank president and CEO Jason Reed said in a press release in February. “Food is meant to be shared with others, and with our terrific community partners we can strengthen the many ways we share these resources to break the cycle of hunger in our communities.”

This is far from the first time the Cardinals have given back through the food bank, having donated 200,000 meals in the form of a $40,000 check around this time last year.

The United Food Bank is celebrating its 40th anniversary of collecting, acquiring, storing and distributing food to over 150 partner agencies across five counties.

The food bank distributes more than 21.6 million pounds of food annually, equating to 50,000 meals per day.

Following their charitable efforts, the Cardinals head back to the practice fields in Tempe on Monday as the first batch of organized team activities get underway.

Follow @AZSports

SCOTTSDALE — Lucky No. 13 for No. 11.

The 13th edition of Arizona Cardinals great Larry Fitzgerald’s Supper Club in Scottsdale raised a record $1 million in donations earlier this month.

The event, which is put on through The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation and Dominick’s Steakhouse, was crafted with the vision of further advancing K-12 education and breast cancer programs through a night of good eats.

“This is definitely beyond my wildest dreams,” Fitzgerald said on the event’s red carpet on May 8. “It’s a team effort. … Nothing great doesn’t happen without team effort. You watch any of the games that you see in the playoffs and any of the successful teams, it’s because everybody works together. That’s that I’ve been very fortunate to have over the last 13 years. It’s a blessing.”

The man of the hour is here.@LarryFitzgerald reflects on his 13th annual Supper Club. pic.twitter.com/oaVp7CqqWs

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) May 9, 2023

“We have a great city. The Phoenix metropolitan area I would say is really known for its charity,” the former wide receiver added. “You go to any of the great events around town, people show up and they turn out and they’re always willing to lend a helping hand to people in need. I’m not different. I’ve been very blessed by very generous people in this city and to be able to do this for 13 years is a testament to the support we’ve been able to receive. I’m elated that we can continue to do it.”

The supper club, which saw more than 250 business and community leaders take in speeches, stories and food throughout the evening, is among the many ways The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation gives back.

His foundation was created in honor of his late mother, Carol, who was an advocate for youth, education and families in addition to being a founding member of the African American Breast Cancer Alliance.

Her actions inspired and motivated Fitzgerald to put his best foot forward, prioritizing his time to the same causes his mother was so passionate about for the past 18 years.

“I’m really thrilled about putting technology labs in schools and being able to bridge that gap in education,” Fitzgerald said in a press release Monday. “Education is the one thing that you can do to elevate yourself. I really enjoy seeing young people in the computer room or art class or doing research on history to write a term paper.

“That gets me excited because I see the growth in young people, and that’s what the foundation is meant to invest in.”

EXTRA POINT

– Fitzgerald on his culinary skills:

“I would be the pepper guy. Do you want it fine or do you want it heavy? I can do that, turn the top of the knob. I’m really good at doing the pepper. Besides that, it could get messed up back there.”

Follow @Tdrake4sports

Guy and his wife, Andrea, were at Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital in Miami on Mother’s Day, and the Guys gave 75 mothers in the hospital a bouquet of flowers.

That included some hospital workers.

Just a few days after welcoming their fourth child, Lawrence Guy @thatLGUY and his wife Andrea gifted 75 underprivileged moms who were also in the NICU @JDCHospital in Miami with flowers 💐 for Mother’s Day 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/VC4axGleXB

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) May 16, 2023

Guy’s generosity off the field has been well documented.

He was the Patriots’ nominee for the 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Guy’s work with the Lawrence Guy Family Foundation has the foundation hold four annual events, one of which is “Thanksgiving with the Guys” when 200 local families get meals and underprivileged children get a holiday shopping spree.

Patriots owner Bob Kraft said in the press release for the nomination that “no player has dedicated more time or more personal resources to positively impact the lives of others in our New England communities” than Guy since he arrived five years ago.

Guy has had an 11-year NFL career since the Green Bay Packers selected him in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Follow @AZSports

TEMPE — Among the unique facts about Arizona Cardinals rookie offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr., there is one in particular that stands out above the rest.

Looking to give back at an earlier age than most, the lineman created the Paris Johnson Foundation his senior year in high school to help better serve underprivileged student athletes and homeless veterans in the community.

Johnson’s passion to aid those less fortunate is evident just in the way he speaks on his foundation. It’s a credit to his mother, Monica Daniels, who has continually pushed him while leading by example.

“We were raised in church … and I raised my children to give even as little people,” Daniels said after Johnson was formally introduced in Arizona. “I taught them it was very important to give, because when you give, you get back. When you hold, you can’t get anything, your hands are full. … And sometimes, our so-called bad day is somebody else’s good day.”

Before the Cardinals drafted Johnson with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft last month, the foundation was already seeing some of the fruits of his labor.

So far, the foundation has reached more than 100 veterans and 350 student-athletes in addition to raising $15,000 and helping five charities along the way. It’s hosted nine events on its own.

His NIL deal with Charqui Jerky Company even aids Johnson’s charitable actions, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting not only the lineman’s foundation but also 2nd & 7, which promotes reading at a young age through free books and role models.

It’s just the beginning for Johnson, who is ready to take his charitable efforts and the team’s trajectory to greater heights with his mom right by his side.

“Paris is going to do his part so they can win. That’s not momma’s job,” Daniels said. “Momma’s job is to support (Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill), support (head coach Jonathan Gannon) and his vision for this organization and that’s the part that my husband, my daughter and I want to do is to support the organization. And how are going to do that? By being here in the community, by serving the community.

“We can do it with the support of the Cardinals organization, we can do it with the support of the National Football League and we can get out and touch so many people and just love on people and just support them with the platform we have,” she added. “Our gifts are for other people, they’re not for us.”

Follow @Tdrake4sports

Payne made the cut after winning the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for the month of December.

The other finalists are Chicago’s Alex Caruso, Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez, Dallas’ Dwight Powell, Philadelphia’s James Harden, New York’s Julius Randle, San Antonio’s Keita Bates-Diop, Boston’s Marcus Smart, Milwaukee’s Pat Connaughton and Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey.

The winner will be determined by an online fan vote and an NBA executive panel.

Payne was recognized this season for his work over the course of the NBA Cares’ “Season of Giving.” He hosted his second annual “Cam Payne’s 15 families of Christmas” event in which he provided dinner and gifts from the wish lists of 15 families from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

He also gave $250 gift cards to Fry’s Food Stores for each family that participated.

Payne also took 20 kids from Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Solano’s No Limit Hoops on a shopping trip to Target.

pic.twitter.com/1FbNUeDnQE

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 26, 2023

His holiday season continued with a $10,000 donation to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis — his hometown — on Dec. 26.

Payne previously served Thanksgiving dinner to 50 mentors and mentees from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona at Footprint Center.

Fans can vote until May 21 at 8:59 p.m.

A $25,000 donation will be made by the NBA on the winning player’s behalf to an organization of his choosing.

Payne is in contention to become the second Suns player to win the annual award in three seasons after Devin Booker did so in 2020-21.

Follow @AZSports

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has donated at least $25,000 through GoFundMe.com fundraisers to help the victims of a mall shooting in his hometown of Allen, Texas.

Murray, who starred at Allen High School, donated $15,000 to a single family and another $10,000 to a general fund that was public on GoFundMe.

“This is sickening. Prayers to the mass shooting victims in Allen, Texas,” Murray wrote on Twitter Saturday immediately after the shooting. “If there is (any way) I can help those affected by this tragedy please let me know. When is this (expletive) gonna stop?”

Murray’s larger donation went to a Korean American family who lost three of its four members, with one young son surviving: Kyu Song Cho, 37, Cindy Cho, 35, and their 3-year-old son died.

Six-year-old William Cho was wounded.

Kyu Cho was a managing partner at the law firm Porter Legal Group.

“He was loved and respected,” the firm said.

The massacre Saturday sent hundreds of shoppers at the Allen Premium Outlets scrambling for cover in shops, storerooms and closed hallways.

Allen, a multicultural suburb of 105,000, is left as the latest U.S. community rent by an eruption of violence in a year that has seen an unprecedented pace of mass killings.

Here is where you can donate to verified GoFunMe drives for victims of the Allen shooting.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Follow @AZSports