–A HOST OF CELEBRITIES JOIN TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN BALTIMORE–
June 4, 2007, Baltimore, MD – On Saturday, June 23rd, NBA Superstar Carmelo Anthony hosted his return to his hometown, Baltimore, Maryland for his third annual "Melo’s H.O.O.D. Movement 3 on 3 Challenge." Sponsored by the People’s Community Health Centers, the highly anticipated event, founded by Anthony in 2005, is designed to foster community spirit and outreach in Baltimore by providing a day of festivities for the entire family. The event featured a ’3 on 3′ basketball tournament for kids and young adults, aged 10 -18, from area schools and recreation centers. All competed for the coveted title of ‘Melo’s H.O.O.D. Movement 3 on 3 Champion’ in their respective division. The rest of Cloverdale Park was transformed into a festival-like oasis where non-tournament attendees enjoyed a day of carnival rides and games, music, food and contests.
“Melo’s H.O.O.D. Movement 3 on 3 Challenge” was also sponsored by Coca Cola, Downtown Locker Room, Black Opal Cosmetics, Brand Jordan, Charm City Cakes, and The Carmelo Anthony Foundation.
Co-hosting the day was Big Tigger, nationally syndicated host of Live in the Den and Rocsi of BET’s 106th and Park. Also attending as celebrity coaches and to participate in the day’s events were: Denver Nuggets’ players Allen Iverson and JR Smith, New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul, Baltimore native and Memphis Grizzly Rudy Gay, Baltimore Ravens players Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Troy Smith, HBO’s The Wire stars Andre Royo, Jamie Hector, Jermaine Crawford, Thuliso Dingwall, and Felicia Patterson, radio personality Free, and MTV’s LaLa Vasquez. To add to the excitement Chef Duff, star of Food Network’s popular show “Ace of Cakes” was on hand to lend support as a coach and to present a customized cake for an episode of that will air in fall 2007.
“Melo’s H.O.O.D. Movement 3 on 3 Challenge” (Holding Our Own Destiny) is only one of Anthony’s many community projects planned for Baltimore. “I grew up like five minutes from here; we were right down the block. These are all the people I grew up with, people who supported me,” said Anthony about giving back to the community that nurtured him. True to his mission, Anthony opened the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center in December 2006. Housing a gymnasium, a computer lab, a library, a dance studio, a recording studio, an outdoor basketball court and meeting facilities, the Youth Center will host youth workshops, job fairs, health screenings, basketball tournaments and family activities.
With programs and services created through a partnership with The Living Classrooms Foundation, The Urban Leadership Institute and The Housing Authority of Baltimore County, Anthony is proving that he can enrich his community and define his legacy beyond the court.
With over 2500 participants this year, Anthony plans for this year’s ‘H.O.O.D. Movement’ to set the stage to expand to other cities. As Anthony noted last year, “There were a lot of smiles on people’s faces and that’s what it’s all about.”
About The Carmelo Anthony Foundation:
Carmelo Anthony and his family are dedicated to giving back to the Baltimore community through The Carmelo Anthony Foundation’s variety of community outreach programs and donations. The Foundation’s mission is to invest in programs and community organizations that empower and provide opportunities for underserved kids and families. Since being selected third by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft, Carmelo Anthony has returned to Baltimore during each off-season to support his community. Through his Foundation, Anthony created the H.O.O.D. Movement (Holding Our Own Destiny) to foster a spirit of community and peace in urban Baltimore. The ‘3 on 3 Basketball Challenge,’ specifically, encourages community involvement and team building, and showcases the basketball talent of the local area youth.
In 2006, The Carmelo Anthony Foundation opened The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The Youth Development Center (CAYDC) serves over 200 students who each receive academic support, career development, life skills instruction, sports and recreation, mentoring, and motivational learning experiences as part of an after-school program. The CAYDC is also the home of Team Melo, Carmelo’s AAU Youth Basketball Team.
About People’s Community Health Centers, Inc.:
Founded in 1969, People’s Community Health Centers, Inc., provides high quality, comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services to people in Baltimore, while removing financial, language, transportation and cultural barriers to care. A primary care provider to 13,000 people across metro Baltimore last year, People’s maintains its founding vision that health care is a right, and not a privilege.
*For Media Inquiries, please contact HUFF PR at 212.369.6525 or via email at info@huffent.com.
