Sports celebrities from the NBA, NFL and MLB will descend on the Valley as a way to help single mothers get a step up.
It’s all part of NBA great Eddie Johnson’s Hoops for Helping Hands for Single Moms.
The fundraiser which will be held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort is a passion close to Johnson’s heart and a way to honor his own mother Doris.
“I think growing up, she was my mom and my Dad. I'm one of seven. She's 86 years old, bless her heart, still chugging along and I’ve tried to reward her every day because it's amazing to me how she raised seven kids and so for me to help a single Mom go get something my mom couldn't get is huge,” explains Johnson.
The 17-year NBA veteran was looking for a way to take action and give back to the community when he came across Helping Hands for Single Moms.
This organization is great because it targets women, allows them to go get their education and them helps them raise their kids. Whether they need a babysitter or some funds to pay rent, whatever it is to get them balanced so they can go and do it the right way,” said Johnson.
You know when you try to make a life change as well as raise a life, it's really scary. You know sometimes you forget to breathe, as a mom in general, whether you're married or not, you forget to breathe and helping hands reminds us, you need to breathe,” said Michelle Camponera, who attended a Helping Hands event.
Camponera is one of many single mothers Johnson is hoping to help with his event.
The single mother is working towards her degree and hoping to show her daughter that perseverance pays off.
“She's seen me study and I've been in school for seven years and she's seven years old, so she's been with me on this journey since day one,” Camponera told the audience.
It’s the same message Johnson’s mother taught him growing up.
“I saw the pain on her face at times. I saw the struggle maybe to provide, but overall she did what she had to do and it was tremendous and so for me to help a single Mom go get something my mom wasn't able to get is huge.”
“Eddie Johnson and Friends: Hoops for Helping Hands for Single Moms” will be an engaging, high energy, action-oriented event that will provide attendees an inside view of the NBA, NFL, and MLB.
Johnson himself is looking forward to taking to the court with some of the guests.
The event will be Wednesday, September 16, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort
To register online, go here.
