(Cleveland) - The recent 2017 NBA Playoffs and Finals run by the Cavaliers has, once again, impacted the Cleveland community in many ways and this year's "Defend the Land" playoff theme will continue to ring true with all playoff watch party admission proceeds being donated to the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity.
This year's total donation was $875,260, the highest total raised since the program was established during the 2015 NBA Finals.
Habitat President & CEO John Habat (below) says it's the largest his donation has group has ever received. Habat tells Newsradio WTAM 1100 that his team is working on ways to leverage the donation to help more Clevelanders in need of good housing, and well as assisting long time residents of the city's most troubled neighborhoods.
"This is a once in a lifetime occurrence and we are going to be mindful of the confidence and trust the Cavs have placed in Cleveland Habitat to help revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods," said Habat, "We have exciting plans which we will share in more detail in the near future."
"This is an extreme point of pride for the Cavs organization and our full Family of Companies. Helping impact the local fight against blight is something we care deeply about, not just during the playoffs and The Finals, but year round. We're thankful to be in the special position to make this donation possible and work with an important partner in this fight like Habitat for Humanity," said Cavs CEO Len Komoroski. "At the same time, this is a reflection of the amazing fan support that comes from our community as well. It is highly appropriate that support during the playoffs can be translated into a positive and very needed outcome for our neighborhoods."
Over the last three years of the NBA Playoffs and Finals, the Cavs have now donated more than $2 million dollars back to Cleveland non-profits and charitable programs through hosting road game watch parties and conducting 50/50 raffles during home and road games.
This year, an additional $60,000 was also raised from the playoffs game night 50/50 raffle program at The Q, benefiting several other local non-profits.
In total, the season-long 50/50 raffle program raised over $230,000 for local non-profits and charitable causes.
Recently, Cleveland Habitat launched a three-year initiative to fully rehab 100 homes in Cleveland's hardest hit neighborhoods, including the Buckeye area. The Cavaliers and their Family of Companies will also be engaged with this specific initiative through the period with future watch party donations and support.
Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores are one of the largest reuse and recycle centers in Cuyahoga County. Consumers and builders alike come to browse the aisles of our 35,000 square foot building on West 110th Street, and our 20,000 square foot showroom on Northfield Road for new and gently used building supplies, tools, furniture, appliances and much more.
(Photos by Ken Robinson/WTAM)
(c) 2017 by iHeartMedia, Inc.