We are fortunate to be able to sponsor two very important philanthropy events in our community this month: the P.I.T. Foundation’s Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and the Portsmouth Service League’s First Citizen of Portsmouth banquet. These are two organizations and events that truly help give back to our area, and we are happy to be able to provide them with continued support.

Each year for 63 years the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament has invited 64 of the best college basketball players from across the nation to participate in a four-day, twelve-game tournament in front of representatives from every NBA team. This year it will take place from April 8-11th, and we will be donating the event tickets gained through our sponsorship to the Westmoreland Children and Youth Association. Not only does the Tournament draw attention from NBA Scouts and General Managers, it’s more than just a basketball tournament. Each year the P.I.T. contributes back to the community by awarding five $4,000 scholarships to student athletes from Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. In addition to the scholarships, a portion of the Tournament proceeds is presented to local nonprofit organizations and charities to help them make a difference in the local community.

Furthermore, for 82 years, the citizens of Portsmouth have honored one individual for his or her contributions to the community by naming that individual as Portsmouth’s First Citizen. First Citizens are people who embody citizenship through service to the community for the sole purpose of and in the spirit of giving. For 2014, the Portsmouth Service League is proud to present Richard Kendrick Huneycutt as Portsmouth’s First Citizen. On April 23rd, he will be honored at a banquet, all proceeds of which will be given to the Portsmouth Service League’s capital campaign to restore the Woman’s Club of Portsmouth and to the Elizabeth River Project’s mission to restore the Elizabeth River to the highest practical level of environmental quality.

Again, we are pleased to have been given the opportunity to sponsor these fantastic philanthropy events this month!