September and October 2023 Recap: Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Campaign and Healthy Living Campaign

During the September Latinx & Hispanic Heritage campaign, the Sharks Foundation and SAP were proud to come together to provide Latino Education Advancement Foundation (LEAF) with an $85,000 Community Assist Grant to launch their Career Exploration & Discovery (CE&D) program which will offer enhanced support to Latinx students and their families in East San Jose by extending comprehensive assistance for college enrollment and career pathways.

To extend the partnership, on October 23 the Sharks Foundation and SAP welcomed 60 scholars and young professionals affiliated with LEAF for a Workshop & Career Fair at SAP Center. The event featured a panel of Team Teal and SAP executive guest speakers, a networking opportunity and career fair on the North Concourse, complimentary headshots taken by the Sharks team photographer, information on a variety of Sharks intern and fellowship programs, and onsite hiring for Sharks Sports & Entertainment and Aramark part-time and full-time positions. Additionally, SAP employees hosted tables to showcase their SAP Next Talent program and extend resume and LinkedIn profile reviews.

The partnership was an important step in furthering equity and inclusion for Hispanic Bay Area youth. The CE&D program will impact 550 lives this year alone. To watch the recap video go to https://www.nhl.com/sharks/video/leaf-career-fair-recap-6340324642112.

The following month during the Sharks Foundation's October Healthy Living campaign, fundraising efforts were focused on providing financial support to non-profits that enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of community members. The Foundation selected two local organizations to provide Community Assist Grants to: Jasper Ridge Farm (JRF) and Running for a Better Oakland (RfaBO)

Jasper Ridge Farm works to provide special experiences to people in need through the comforting power of animals. Since 2009, their therapeutic animal-assisted programs have served thousands of the most vulnerable children and adults in our community. On October 18, members of Team Teal and S.J. Sharkie volunteered at their farm in Portola Valley to assist with animal and facilities maintenance. Additionally, the Foundation provided JRF with a $15,000 grant to support 700 individuals participating in their WellnessBuddies program which partners with organizations like Bill Wilson Center to improve the mental health of youth with special needs or experiencing a hard time in life. To watch the activation go to https://www.nhl.com/sharks/video/topic/in-the-community/jasper-ridge-farm-recap-6339999201112!

Running for a Better Oakland encourages Kindergarten-12th grade students to develop healthy lifestyles through exercise. By providing training and encouragement, the non-profit helps students build confidence and set goals, giving them tools for achievement and hard work they can draw on in all areas of their lives. On October 28, members of Sharks Sports & Entertainment joined 210 participants at RfaBO’s Costume Fun Run to support them with words of encouragement or act as a running buddy for the 1 mile, 5k and 10k routes around Lake Merritt.

At the event, the Foundation presented RfaBO with a $10,000 grant to further their mission. The donation will impact 240 athletes’ lives participating in the non-profit’s running programs and events.

In line with the Healthy Living focal area, the Sharks Foundation and SAP collaborated on a $50,000 grant for Loved Twice, a non-profit clothing newborns in need with quality reused garments for their first year of life. The funding will help guardians from underserved communities keep their babies warm, clean, and dry during the upcoming winter months.

In tandem with the donation, Sharks and SAP employees packed 250 wardrobe-in-a-boxes on the Concourse of SAP Center this past August. To watch a recap video of the event go to https://www.nhl.com/sharks/video/topic/in-the-community/loved-twice-recap-6338001070112.

In total, the Sharks Foundation dedicated $83,200 and impacted 3,412 lives this October.