NEW YORK – Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has received the January NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente in recognition of his continuous efforts to help those in need throughout the Memphis community, the NBA announced today.  The award recognizes an NBA player each month who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities.

Kaiser Permanente and the NBA are honoring Randolph for his sustained generosity and commitment to aiding kids and families in need.  During the Grizzlies’ Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Randolph and his teammates served lunch to more than 200 homeless men and women at the Memphis Union.  Randolph also made a personal donation to the mission that made socks, gloves, hats and other clothing available to those trying to keep warm this winter.  For the seventh time in his career, Randolph donated $20,000 to the MIFA Emergency Services Plus-1 program.  His contribution goes toward eliminating the utility bills of 200 Memphis-area households that run the risk of service interruptions during the winter months.

Earlier this season, Randolph participated in a holiday meal giveaway at a local Memphis high school, providing 400 food baskets to families from the local neighborhood, and 200 tickets for faculty and students to a Grizzlies game.  Additionally, Randolph joined teammate Tony Allen to give 200 Memphis Boys & Girls Clubs youth a holiday shopping spree at Wal-Mart, and partnered with the Memphis Police Department’s Community Policing Program on his annual winter coat giveaway, where he purchased and distributed 300 coats to children at Lucie E. Campbell Elementary School.

“It’s important to me to help single-parent families and children in need because I was one of them,” said Randolph.  “I do all I can to connect and communicate with these kids, to remind them that they can survive their struggles and become whatever they want to be.”

Before tonight’s home game against the Phoenix Suns, Randolph will be presented the award during an oncourt ceremony.  The award honors the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson, who improved the community piece by piece.  In addition, Kaiser Permanente and the NBA will donate $10,000 on Randolph’s behalf to the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation.

To learn more, please visit http://www.nba.com/communityassist/.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care.  We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans.  Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.  We currently serve more than 10.6 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia.  Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers.  Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management.  Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.