The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Thursday a community-based partnership with Camden’s Cooper University Health Care.
The academic health system in South Jersey is now an ‘Official Partner’ of the 76ers.
“Community engagement is one of our core values and we’re thrilled that this partnership with Cooper University Health Care will create new avenues to positively impact youth in the City of Camden,” Philadelphia 76ers President Chris Heck said. “Basketball has the power to bring people together and drive meaningful growth and change in our communities. Together with the team at Cooper, we look forward to doing just that.”
As part of the deal, Cooper and the 76ers will collaborate on a variety of community-based activities and initiatives, including:
- A three-day Camden Youth Basketball Clinic for this summer;
- The renovation of a Camden basketball court for youth in the city;
- Employees of both 76ers and Cooper will take part in volunteer initiatives, pledging at least 76 hours of community service annually to support communities where 76ers fans live, work and play;
- Create a Health & Nutrition Seminar for Camden-area youth;
- Cooper will sponsor part of the fifth annual Sixers Youth Foundation Gala on March 9.
“Cooper has called Camden home for more than 130 years and has been its residents’ trusted health care provider,” George E. Norcross III, chairman of the Cooper’s board of trustees, said. “Since moving to Camden, the 76ers organization has embraced the community, making them an ideal partner to serve the residents and add to the city’s quality of life.”
Kevin O’Dowd, co-president and CEO of Cooper, said the partnership represents a commitment to the community to Camden that Cooper and the Sixers share.
“Together, Cooper and the Sixers have designed this partnership to impact the lives of young people in Camden with new recreational opportunities, facilities and healthy lifestyle education,” said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, co-president/CEO of Cooper, said.
