The New Orleans Hornets monthly Player Spotlight recognizes our team’s leaders both on the court and in the community. July’s spotlight features Hornets Forward, Peja Stojakovic- a valuable sharpshooter on the hardwood but an even bigger contributor to his charitable projects worldwide.
The mission of the Peja Stojakovic Children’s Foundation is to provide assistance to the children and families of Serbia and Montenegro (Peja’s home-country), Greece and New Orleans. The foundation seeks to educate people globally on the issues of hunger, shelter, economic self-sufficiency and most importantly- hope. Since the Hornets’ return to New Orleans, Stojakovic has also made it a priority to expand contributions to hospitals and organizations around his local community.
On March 21st, 2008, Peja Stojakovic hosted his inaugural “Charitabowl” bowling tournament and silent auction. The event raised $45,000 which was matched dollar-for-dollar by Stojakovic for a total of $90,000. Proceeds from the event went to Peja’s “Courts for Kids” project, an initiative that will install new basketball courts, refurbish existing ones and distribute basketball equipment in disadvantaged areas around the world. The Iberville Housing Development in New Orleans, LA has recently been identified as a future “Courts for Kids” site, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Louisiana.
Peja Stojakovic recently collaborated with International Orthodox Christian Charities to give mobility assistance to more than 160 disabled people in Thessaloniki, Greece. More than $200,000 in wheelchairs, including sports wheelchairs for disabled athletes, therapeutic equipment and other mobility devices were distributed in Thessaloniki in May 2008. This project in Greece, where Peja played for five years, brings the value of assistance provided by the Peja Stojakovic Children’s Foundation in partnership with IOCC to more than $1 million.
“One of the main reasons for my humanitarian work is my experience as a refugee in the early 1990s, when Yugoslavia broke apart," Stojakovic said. "My family lost everything overnight. I was able to take care of my family through basketball. Today I feel compelled to help those in need, not only in Serbia and Greece where I grew up, but also here in New Orleans. I consider this beautiful city my second home."
In the past year, Stojakovic has also been closely involved in fighting hunger by participating in events along the Gulf-Coast Region with Feed the Children, delivering food to residents affected by Hurricane Katrina. Food-drop stops included Biloxi, MS and New Orleans and Arabi, LA.
After the NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans, Stojakovic visited Christian Brothers School to personally thank the students for supporting New Orleans by attending the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge. Stojakovic, who participated in the Footlocker 3-Point Shootout brought pizza for the students at the all-boys school and answered questions about life as a professional basketball player.
The New Orleans Hornets monthly Player Spotlight recognizes our team’s leaders both on the court and in the community. July’s spotlight features Hornets Forward, Peja Stojakovic- a valuable sharpshooter on the hardwood but an even bigger contributor to his charitable projects worldwide. 