Muhammad and Lonnie Ali DreamCourt® Opening Packs All-Star Punch
PLANO, Texas, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Basketball Hall-of-Famer, Nancy Lieberman Foundation Founder and Coach Nancy Lieberman joined local leaders and sports stars to honor the legacy of Muhammad Ali during the grand opening of the Muhammad and Lonnie Ali DreamCourt at the Boys & Girls Club—Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch in Phoenix on May 6. DreamCourts are state-of-the-art basketball facilities built in lower-income communities through a collaboration among WorldVentures Foundation, Nancy Lieberman Foundation and Sport Court®.
"This court will be a great gathering place for the children in this community, and I know they're going to have a lot of great memories that come from this place. And, hopefully, it will make a positive impact in their lives, as well," said Lonnie Ali, who attended the opening.
It was a hallmark moment for DreamCourt organizers, including Lieberman, who credits Ali with inspiring her to be fearless in pursuit of her goals. The two met in New York in the late 1970s during a fundraiser for the Olympics, and their relationship has endured.
"My favorite Muhammad Ali quote is, 'Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.' Muhammad loves the common man and this court symbolizes his legacy, his vision for what people can do for one another if they're willing to step up and take responsibility. I'm deeply grateful to have something that represents his vision," said Lieberman.
Gwyneth Lloyd, executive director of WorldVentures Foundation, echoed Lieberman's sentiments. "Mr. Ali is bigger than life, but his bravado belies his giving heart. He's a consummate humanitarian and we are honored to have his support for this important project."
WorldVentures Foundation is a dedicated, national affiliate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and leads service excursions to clubs nationwide, where volunteers assist with renovation projects. Of 17 DreamCourts built to date, nine are located at Boys & Girls Clubs in Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, Illinois, and Arizona. Since 2010, 945 volunteers have participated in 30 service excursions at 22 Boys & Girls Clubs, donating 4,930 hours and touching the lives of 11,000 children. Total impact: invaluable.
The Muhammad and Lonnie Ali DreamCourt features Sport Court's high-performance safety surface and bright blue and orange accents. An artist was commissioned to paint a mural bearing Ali's name and likeness.
"Sport Court® is extremely pleased to support the Nancy Lieberman Foundation and the WorldVentures Foundation on this important DreamCourt project in honor of Muhammad and Lonnie Ali, that will provide a high-quality Power Game™ surface for safe play at the Boys & Girls Club in Phoenix," said Joe Ure, Sport Court® director of residential sales.
About WorldVentures Foundation
Launched in 2010, WorldVentures Foundation is the philanthropic arm of WorldVentures Holdings and focuses on positive change in the lives of children. WorldVentures' Independent Representatives and DreamTrips™ Members—the volunteers and driving force behind the Foundation's Service Excursions, VolunTours, DreamCourts and global initiatives—provide inspiration when they serve and implement sustainable economic and environmental solutions within communities around the world. www.wvfoundation.org
About Nancy Lieberman Foundation
Founded in 1989, Nancy Lieberman Foundation's mission is to provide a healthy physical, emotional and mental environment for young girls and boys to build their self-esteem and confidence so they will be able to make the right choices in the future. The foundation's vision is to be the catalyst for the development of young girls and boys throughout the country by using basketball as a motivational tool. www.nancyliebermanfoundation.com
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix provides after-school and summer programs for youth in some of the Valley's most deserving neighborhoods. Our programs focus on four key areas: Academic Success, Healthy Choices, Be Great-Do Good and Fun with a Purpose, providing youth with the tools they need to enjoy childhood and become successful adults. Every year, thousands of children and teens benefit from programs through our 12 clubhouses, outreach services in the community and children's dental clinic. For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix follow us on Twitter @bgcmp or visit www.bgcmp.org.
Media Contact:
Laura Wards
(972) 805-5154
[email protected]
SOURCE WorldVentures Foundation
Share this article