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Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens announced today in Madison that the team will continue its ticket donation program with Boys & Girls Club of Dane County’s AVID/TOPS program for the upcoming 2016-17 NBA season. Edens and the team began the initiative last season, which resulted in over $70,000 worth of Bucks tickets, merchandise and concessions being donated to the club to give over 300 Madison-area students the opportunity to enjoy dinner and a Bucks game.
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Dane County,” Edens said. “Supporting youth education initiatives is a priority for our entire organization, and not just in Milwaukee but throughout the state. We look forward to another great season of aiding and rewarding Madison-area students who are working hard to be successful in the classroom.”
This season Edens will once again donate his personal courtside seats for 10 Bucks home games. The team will provide an additional 30 lower-level tickets for each of those games, along with merchandise and concessions vouchers for all students invited to attend a game. The tickets will be used as an incentive for Madison-area students participating in the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County AVID/TOPS program who demonstrate significant improvement in areas of literacy, behavior and attendance.
The AVID/TOPS program is a Boys & Girls Club initiative in partnership with local schools in the Dane County area to help prepare high school students for college. The AVID/TOPS program offers tutoring, mentorships and paid summer internships, with participants also eligible for college scholarships. AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) is the classroom component, used in over 3,000 schools nationwide, while TOPS (Teens of Promise) is an outside-the-classroom initiative focused on college preparatory activities and real-world experience. Together, the AVID/TOPS program has resulted in college enrollment rates of over 95 percent.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County
The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County is a not-for-profit youth development organization that serves over 4,000 young people every year. The Club’s vision is to inspire and empower all young people; especially those who need us the most to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring adults through quality programs. Boys & Girls Club of Dane County’s mission is to be the leader in youth development programs by developing partnerships to produce positive outcomes for young people, families and communities. For additional information about our Clubs and programs please visit:www.bgcdc.org.
