Memphis  Grizzlies  forward Rudy Gay is the recipient  of  the Kia Community Assist Award for April in recognition of his  outstanding  efforts  in the community and his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work, the NBA announced today.

Kia  and  the NBA are honoring Gay in part for his ongoing support of St. Jude  Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.  Gay, who wears number 22, made  a  personal  donation  of  $22,222.22 to the hospital. The longtime Hoops  for  St.  Jude  campaign  ambassador  also recorded a PSA to raise awareness  of,  and  funding for, the campaign; and he led a group of his teammates on a visit to St. Jude’s Grizzlies House, where they spent time decorating cookies with the boys and girls.  In addition, Gay treated one young  patient,  Cortavious,  and  his family to a dream dinner.  He also invited  the  family  to  a  Grizzlies  game  the following evening where Cortavious joined him on court during shoot around.

“I  am  honored to receive the Kia Community Assist Award and thrilled to be  in a position to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Gay.  “I am a huge fan of the organization – they truly work miracles for so  many  children and save lives every day.  The work that St. Jude does makes my job look small.”

Understanding  the importance of providing young people with a safe place to  learn  and  grow,  Gay also served as a keynote speaker at the Boys & Girls  Clubs  of  Greater  Memphis’  annual Steak N’ Burger Dinner, which helped the organization raise more than $300,000.  Gay also lends support to  the Stax Music Academy in Memphis, where he spends time with students and helps raise money for Staxtacular, the school’s annual fundraiser, by collecting  autographed  memorabilia  for  the silent auction and hosting meet  and  greets  with  the  event sponsors.  With Gay’s help, this year Staxtacular raised more than $100,000.

As  a  Kia  Community  Assist Award recipient, Gay will receive the David Robinson  Plaque with the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend  David  Robinson  who  improved the community piece by piece.”  In addition,  Kia  and  the  NBA  will donate $10,000 on Gay’s behalf to the charity of his choice.