Employees and Volunteers Concluded Two-Day Initiative with Special MLK Day of Service Event By Gifting New Technology Items to Six Good Neighbor Clubs Throughout Metro Atlanta
ATLANTA – To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of ensuring educational resources for all, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm teamed up for a special Innovation Expo and Technology Gifting event at the Bessie Branham Park and Recreation Center in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta.
With help from Hawks and State Farm volunteers, 50 students were ushered to various demonstration stations where they learned from IT professionals how various technologies are used. The stations included participating in a 3D printing station, drone station, STEM kit station, and a video editing and mirrorless camera station.
“Today, we proudly honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate his vision of providing service, education and resources for all,” said Hawks’ Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Basketball Programs Jon Babul. “Together with our partners at State Farm, and through events like today’s Innovation Expo and Tech Gifting, we are committed to advancing Atlanta’s youth and providing safe spaces where they can learn and grow.”
Joining on site to assist were members of Hawks Entertainment including Harry the Hawk, the Flight Crew and the ATL Hawks Dancers.
The event on Friday concluded a larger two-day community service initiative where members of the Hawks and State Farm provided six Good Neighbor Clubs with new technology to increase students’ interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math).
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s impact and legacy continues to inspire us to serve our communities,” said State Farm Corporate Responsibility Manager Tanya James. “It was a pleasure to work alongside several of my State Farm associates and our community partners, the Atlanta Hawks to honor him. We hope the tools and resources shared today will open doors of opportunity and spark new dreams for our youth to build on Dr. King’s legacy.”
Executives from the Hawks and State Farm worked with the six Good Neighbor Clubs to identify technology and equipment needs for each Club. The Clubs that were recipients included Bessie Branham Park and Recreation Center, Coan Park Recreation Center, Lynwood Park and Recreation Center, N.H. Scott Recreation Center, Ron Anderson Recreation Center, and William Walker Recreation Center.
Items requested included 3D printers, cameras, ceiling projectors, charging stations, drones, flat screen TVs, gaming consoles, laptops, STEM Kits, tablets and more.
“We would like to thank the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm for their generous gift of technology equipment for the Good Neighbor Clubs,” said City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation Community Facility Manager, Andre Brown. “This tech gifting will help us better serve the community in a way that Dr. King elevated the mindset of a nation to bring forth educational resources for all.”
The Hawks and State Farm have led efforts in multiple community-focused initiatives to better serve Metro Atlanta.
In addition to today’s Innovation Expo and Technology Gifting at the Bessie Branham Park and Recreation Center, the Hawks and State Farm have previously teamed up to open seven other Good Neighbor Clubs in locations such as: William Walker Recreation Center in Atlanta, Lucky Shoals Park in Gwinnett, Lynwood Park in Brookhaven, Ron Anderson Recreation Center in Cobb County, Welcome All Park in South Fulton, Coan Park Recreation Center in Atlanta, and N.H. Scott Recreation Center in Decatur.
In 2019, the Hawks and State Farm unveiled the first renovated dance studio at Bessie Branham Park in Kirkwood as part of the team’s Season of Giving initiatives. To learn more about the Hawks’ work in the community, visit Hawks.com/community.
