CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Nets on Fire, a nonprofit basketball organization in St. George, is not only a venue for youth to pursue their athletic goals, but also a group of people deeply invested in the community. Recently, Nets on Fire collaborated with Red Rock Companies and Make-A-Wish Utah to help grant a wish for Addilynn, a 7-year-old girl from St. George living with cystic fibrosis.
Red Rock Companies, Southern Utah’s largest real estate brokerage and a sponsor of Nets on Fire, is known for giving back to the community it loves and thrives in. The company has committed to grant 10 wishes for Southern Utah children battling critical illnesses in 2023 through an ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish Utah.
Earlier this year, Nets on Fire contacted Red Rock Companies after seeing a video from a wish proclamation Red Rock Companies held for another local child.
“Giving back is a huge part of our philosophy,” Nets on Fire Director of Operations Kasey Winters said. “The relationship that we have with Red Rock and Make-A-Wish is something that fits our mission.”
“We are grateful for our partnership with Nets on Fire. They are doing incredible things in the community, and we were excited when they reached out saying they wanted to get involved with Red Rock’s partnership with Make-A-Wish!” said Adam Legg, CEO of Red Rock Companies.
The budget for each wish is $6,000, and fulfilling the dreams of local kids wouldn’t be possible without the support of community partners.
“When we heard about this opportunity, we said yes immediately,” Winters said. “This is something we’ve never done before, but I think Nets on Fire will make the wish proclamation an annual event.”
On Oct. 18, staff from Nets on Fire transformed two of the facility’s basketball courts into a colorful carnival dedicated to Addilynn. Members of the Snow Canyon High School Eshelles drill team volunteered to help run the games alongside players from Nets on Fire’s Ignited girls basketball team.
Over the course of the evening, Addilynn and about 15 of her family members and friends enjoyed carnival activities and treats including a ring toss, face painting, bounce houses, a piñata, a balloon artist, a photo booth, popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy. The celebration culminated in the opening of a huge gift box that contained Mickey Mouse announcing that Addilynn’s wish to go to Disney World was coming true!
“We’re really excited to partner with Red Rock and Make-A-Wish,” Winters said. “We love being in St. George, and any chance that we have to give back, we look forward to the opportunity.”
Along with organizing a wish proclamation event every year, Nets on Fire plans to donate to Make-A-Wish Utah for the benefit of children and families who would prefer not to participate in a large celebration.
Nets on Fire builds champions on and off the court. Empowering young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to reach their full potential, the organization offers basketball and volleyball camps, clinics, leagues, training and team play. Nets on Fire hosts several fundraising tournaments throughout the year in support of locally based organizations such as the DOVE Center, the Washington County School District Foundation, Tan’s Treats and Korah Kids.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
Resources
- Nets on Fire | Address: 1871 W. Canyon View Drive, St. George | Telephone: 435-705-4922 | Website.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.