The Activist

The Ray of Hope Foundation

Established by NBA All-Star Ray Allen in 1997, The Ray of Hope Foundation assists with sports related and community based programs and provides avenues of opportunity through which our youth can “hope” to realize their full potential.

The Ray of Hope Foundation has helped charitable organizations in several parts of the country fulfill their mission of assisting children in need. From providing kids in low-income areas with safe and productive activities, to helping young students build greater self-esteem; the foundation is focused on continuing its positive work and becoming a constructive force in the Northeast.

Since its inception, the Ray of Hope Foundation has raised over $500,000. The organizations that  have received assistance from the foundation include…

• AAU Programs – Brookfield Warriors, New Mexico Wildcats, Charlotte Royals
• Alliance for Education
• B.E.L.L. (Building Educated Leaders for Life)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation
• Boston Centers for Youth and Families
• Boys & Girls Club of Boston – No Books/No Balls Basketball Program
• Boys & Girls Club of King County
• Boys & Girls Club of Milwaukee
• Boy Scouts of America
• City Ballet Theatre of Milwaukee
• Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation
• Connecticut Public Schools
• Development through Athletics Program
• Glen Park Biddy Basketball Program
• JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
• Joslin Diabetes Center
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• Middletown High School
• Milwaukee Public Schools
• Muhammad’s Islamic Academy
• NBA Programs
• One Family
• The First Tee – Connecticut
• The Gifford School
• The Home for Little Wanderers
• The World Youth Peace Summit
• Thomas More High School
• Seattle Public Schools
• Sumter Volleyball Club
• UNICEF
• Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center
• Washington Education Foundation
• Wisconsin Scholars, Inc.
• YMCA – Milwaukee
• YMCA – Seattle
• YMCA Strong Kids Campaign

FOUNDATION ANNUAL EVENTS

Ray Allen Golf Tournament – Held at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT. The tournament is a fun filled day of golf to raise money for the foundation. 36 groups play the 18-hole course in a shamble format. The day features golf, a silent auction, raffle prizes, putting contest, lunch, dinner, and a variety of tasty hors d’oeuvres as you play your round.

ROHF Thanksgiving Event – Provides a Thanksgiving meal for 275 selected families. The foundation, with assistance from Costco Wholesale and Vitamin Water, serve these families with a full Thanksgiving dinner. The families are provided with a non-cooked meal which includes a turkey, gravy, stuffing, russet potatoes, salad, green beans, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie and beverages.

ROHF Holiday Giving Tree – Adorned with 450 ornaments, the Holiday Giving Tree is set up in the mall. Each ornament has printed on it the name and gift wish of an in-need child’s. Shoppers who pick an ornament will buy the gift for the child. In exchange for the gift purchased, Ray will personally sign an autograph as a thank you for the shoppers generosity.