The Storm works hard off the court too by partnering with others to strengthen communities and help individuals across the region. Throughout the year, Storm players, owners and staff participate in community events, partner with organizations, donate auction items, and provide support for a wide range of programs.
Storm players set an example for how education, hard work and dreaming big can help youth and teens build self-esteem and achieve their goals. Together with our sponsors and the WNBA, the Storm promotes several programs that emphasize education and literacy, health and fitness, support for women and girls and youth basketball.
BASKETBALL: In an effort to positively influence the development of the game of basketball in the state of Washington, the organization offers camps, clinics and programs such as Jr. WNBA.
EDUCATION: The Storm organization strives to promote education through the development and delivery of literacy programs such as Read to Achieve.
HEALTH & FITNESS: The Storm and its partners support and implement initiatives that focus on health issues among children and that promote youth fitness. The programs are WNBA Fit, Breast Health Awareness and a program featuring hospital visits by players.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: The Storm organization has multiple community partners that we work with on a consistent basis. Among the non-profits we support are Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, The Ronald McDonald House, YWCA, and Public Schools.
TICKET/AUCTION DONATIONS: The Storm players, owners and sponsors generously support the Tickets for Kids program, which donates tickets to local nonprofits. The Community Relations department makes every effort to fulfill nonprofit organization requests for Storm autographed items that fall within the organization’s established donation criteria.
BASKETBALL-FOCUSED PROGRAMS
JR. WNBA: The Jr. WNBA is presented by Gatorade and Nike and serves existing recreational girls youth basketball leagues through support programs for players, coaches, parents and game officials.
STORM BASKETBALL CAMP: The Storm Basketball Camp, presented by Gatorade, is all about kids. Young hoopsters of all skill levels learn to improve their games from the best local high school and college coaches.
EDUCATION-FOCUSED PROGRAMS
READ TO ACHIEVE: The Read to Achieve program is an incentive-based program designed to encourage students, grades 1-8, to develop strong reading skills.
READING & LEARNING CENTERS: The Storm is dedicated to providing access to Reading & Learning Centers for youth in Western Washington. The organization provides funds to update facilities, books and other vital resources to youth programs in need.
HEALTH & FITNESS-FOCUSED PROGRAMS
WNBA FIT: A new fitness initiative sponsored by the WNBA that encourages females of all ages to learn more about their bodies and the importance of physical fitness.
BREAST HEALTH AWARENESS: The WNBA’s Breast Health Awareness program, in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, works to raise funds, generate awareness and educate women on what can be done to fight breast cancer.
HOSPITAL VISITS: The Storm players make visits and conduct activities at Seattle Children’s Hospital Regional Medical Center and at Ronald McDonald House for kids and families affected by life-threatening illnesses.
ADDITIONAL INITIATIVES
TICKETS FOR KIDS: The Tickets for Kids program is designed to provide an opportunity for kids connected with local nonprofit organizations to attend Storm regular-season games. Players, owners and the organization’s staff members purchase season tickets that are distributed to nonprofit groups throughout the season.
FOOD, CLOTHING AND TOY DRIVES: Every year, the organization encourages fans to donate cans of food, winter clothing, toys and school supplies at designated Storm games throughout the WNBA season.
