Sagaponack - On Saturday, August 7, Hoops 4 Hope will hold their 12th Annual Benefit, hosted by Susan Burden and William Goldman at their home in Sagaponack. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the Hoops 4 Hope and Soccer 4 Hope programs. Hoops 4 Hope (H4H) an Soccer 4 Hope (S4H) are leaders in providing sustainable and innovative programs for the empowerment and positive change of youth in disadvantaged communities through basketball and soccer based education, health, and skills for life programs in southern Africa.

NBA and ESPN commentator, Mike Breen will welcome philanthropists and friends for this special evening of giving back. Over the past several years, the H4H Annual Summer Benefit has received continuous support from friends at the NBA, business leaders, celebrities, foundations, and this year, EA SPORTS and ESPN. The activation of EA SPORTS, "EA SPORTS NBA ELITE GAME 11" will give VIP guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of their favorite NBA players and celebrities to trial the new game during a night of African music, beautiful food, Ketel One cocktails and positive action.

Underground basketball legend, DJ, author, and honoree of the evening, Bobbito Garcia will be receiving the "Ubuntu Award." "Ubuntu" expresses an ancient South African concept of unity, that every human is part of a greater whole; that I am who I am through you, and you are who you are through me. It captures in one word the combined love of all humanity.

The festive and philanthropic evening will offer guests a live and silent auction, a chance to win cross-country getaways, overseas trips, bespoke Astor & Black suits, autographed Retro Brand tee-shirts, sports memorabilia and experiential packages.

Hoops 4 Hope, an official NBA Cares partner, is a non-for-profit organization that each year gives over 10,000 children in South Africa and Zimbabwe a better chance to beat the odds in communities plagued by poverty, violence and HIV/AIDS.

Founded in 1995, H4H combines the joy of basketball and soccer with life-skills training that promotes leadership and responsibility, while empowering youngsters to live healthy and productive lives.

"This will be a special gathering to support our important programs in Africa that are successfully building young leaders, tackling health and social issues, and providing much needed outlets for positive activities in highly disadvantaged communities" says H4H founder Mark Crandall. "I hope that you can come and support the important work H4H is doing in Africa today!"

Contact the co-chairs, Molly Blair at 917-414-0810, or Nisreen Gardner at 415-828-1314, or go to www.hoopsafrica.org.