Reading at Phoenix Zoo
On Saturday, March 1st Bridget Pettis read “Horton Hears a Who” to children during story time at the Phoenix Zoo.

Dads and Daughters Clinic
Mercury Head Coach Corey Gaines and Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis hosted a dads and daughters basketball clinic at US Airways Center on Thursday, February 21st. Mercury General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale hosted a special nutrition session Suns Legend Eddie Johnson spoke with the dads. More than 60 dads and daughters participated in the clinic.

National Girls in Sports Day
As part of National Girls in Sports Day Mercury Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis spoke with athletes at Thunderbird High School about how the importance of sports.

Habitat for Humanity Women Build
Mercury President and COO Jay Parry was on hand for the ground breaking of the Habitat for Humanity Women build on Saturday, February 2, 2008. As part of the Mercury’s commitment to this project Mercury fans, coaches, staff and players will help build the home for nine weekends.

Phoenix Mercury High School Tour
As part of the Mercury’s fitness platform, the Phoenix Mercury High School tour will have had five stops from January through March. At each tour stop either Mercury General Manager, Ann Meyers Drysdale, or a member of the Mercury coaching staff attended a girls’ basketball game and provided an exclusive motivational talk to both teams prior to the game. There was also a talk with parents of athletes, providing a behind-the-scenes look at issues that the student athletes will face at the collegiate and professional level. Both teams also took a picture with the WNBA Championship trophy.

Phoenix Mercury and Children’s Hospital Team Up to Promote Health to Elementary Kids
Phoenix Mercury Assistant Coach Bridgett Pettis presented her championship message of determination and health to elementary students as assemblies from October 2007-January 2008. Pettis showed off the Mercury’s WNBA trophy and inspired kids to follow their dreams.

Mercury Cares Week
During the week of December 17th the WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury lent a helping hand to various organizations throughout the Valley as part of Mercury Cares Week. The Mercury visited with residents of Florence Crittenton, took part in the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program, served meals at the Phoenix Rescue Mission and raised money for the Score for Kids program at the “Give the Gift of the Mercury” event.

Suns Hospital Visit
On Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Olympia Scott and Bridget Pettis helped the Suns spread a little sunshine to the children at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa.

Character Counts
On November 15, 2007 Mercury Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis spoke to the students during a Character Counts assembly at Sahuaro Elementary School.

Salvation Army Turkey Drive
Mercury Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis donated turkeys to the Salvation Army turkey drive on behalf of the Phoenix Mercury on November 15, 2007.

Phoenix Banner Mercury Wheelchair Team Action
The Phoenix Banner Mercury wheelchair team recently played in tournaments in Las Vegas, NV and Birmingham, AL where they finished in third and fourth place, respectively. Mercury players were honored following the Alabama tournament with individual awards. Emily Hoskins and Jen Ruddell were both named to the All-Tournament, and Jen Ruddell was named Tournament MVP for her leadership and contributions in all the games.

Scott, Trophy Attend Race for the Cure
Olympia Scott, Phoenix Mercury breast health awareness spokesperson, attended the Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure with the WNBA Championship trophy on Sunday, October 14. Olympia signed autographs, took pictures with fans, talked with Tram Mai from Channel 12 and addressed the crowd of 40,000 runners.

Scott Visits Local YMCA
On Thursday, October 11th, Olympia Scott visited a local YMCA and spoke with kids about what it takes to be a champion.

Father Daughter 2 Ball Tournament
On Saturday, August 4, the Phoenix Mercury hosted its 4th annual Father-Daughter 2-Ball Tournament at US Airways Center. Twenty-three Father-Daughter teams competed in a one-minute hot shot shooting competition. Teams were divided into four age divisions. Winners included: 8-9 Age division: Santos and Frances Espinoza, 10-11 Age division: Steve and Candice Bomar, 12-13 Age division: David and Shantel Gutierrez, 14-15 Age division: Steve and Cara Bomar.

Reading to Achieve
On Thursday, July 19th, Mercury players Jennifer Lacy, Olympia Scott and Penny Taylor read to 75 kids from Kid Zone at a Read to Achieve event sponsored by Toyota and the WNBA. Scorch the Mascot and the Mercury Hip Hop Squad were also on-hand to entertain the kids. All of the attendees received autographed copies of “Where the Wild Things Are” and WNBA Cares t-shirts courtesy of Toyota.

Fab Four Fundraiser
On Tuesday July 17th following the Phoenix Mercury vs Seattle Storm game at US Airways Center, Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury hosted a Fab Four fundraiser at Majerle’s Bar and Grill. The Fab Four consisted of All-Stars Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter from the Phoenix Mercury as well as Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson from the Seattle Storm. Proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Guadalupe where a Learn and Play Center will be created later this year.

Back-to-School Backpack Stuffing
On Friday, July 13, 2007 Phoenix Mercury guard Belinda Snell and Mercury Mascot Scorch helped stuff backpacks for underprivileged children along with 200 other volunteers at a local prep school. The backpack stuffing benefited the Back to School Clothing Drive Association and kicked off the Mercury and Bank of America Back-to-School sock drive.

ASU Clinic
On Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 Phoenix Mercury players Kelly Miller and Penny Taylor participated at the Arizona State University girls basketball individual camp. The players informed young girls about their basketball career and had a question and answer session with prizes.

Meyers Drysdale throws Diamondback opening pitch
On Monday, June 25th Phoenix Mercury’s General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale had the honor of throwing the opening pitch for the Arizona Diamondbacks game when they hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field.

Nike Factory Event
On Saturday, June 23rd six Phoenix Mercury players including All-Stars Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter were featured at the Nike Factory Store at Arizona Mills Mall. The Players answered questions from fans, signed autographs and mingled with customers. Video

Extreme Heat Emergency Project
On Thursday, June 21st, Cappie Pondexter, Penny Taylor and Scorch delivered 2,000 bottles of water collected by Mercury fans to the Salvation Army. Water will benefit the homeless in the Valley this summer as part of the Salvation Army's Extreme Heat Emergency Project.

Salvation Army Water Drive
On Wednesday, June 20th the Phoenix Mercury staff and fans donated over 2,000 bottles of water for the Salvation Army Extreme Heat Emergency Plan. All-Stars Cappie Pondexter, Penny Taylor and Scorch helped pass out the water the following day at the Salvation Army on Van Buren Road.

Take 25
On Tuesday May 22, the Phoenix Mercury partnered with statewide law enforcement for a press conference to announce the Take 25 event held at US Airways center on May 25. The Take 25 campaign educated parents to Take 25 minutes a day and talk to their children about internet safety. Mercury General Manager, Ann Meyers Drysdale kicked off the press conference which also included 8 law enforcement representatives.

Home School Clinic
On Monday, May 21 the Phoenix Mercury hosted an open practice and basketball clinic for 200 home schooled children. On hand to help with the clinic was Cappie Pondexter, Kelly Schumacher and Assistant Coach Corey Gaines.

Fan Fest a Success
On Saturday, May 12 the Mercury kicked off the 2007 season at Fan Fest. The event includes appearances from Phoenix Mercury players and coaches, a 5K run/walk, Jr. Hip Hop Squad tryouts, inflatables, a sport court and face painters! A portion of the proceeds from the run benefited the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an organization dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.

Mercury Partner with Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun
On Saturday, May 5, 2007, the Phoenix Mercury partnered with Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun for their 2007 pre-season community project. The Phoenix Mercury players, coaches and front office staff helped build a home in Glendale, AZ.

Notre Dame Prep High School Clinic
On Friday, May 4, members of the Phoenix Mercury participated in a clinic at Notre Dame Prep High School in North Scottsdale. The NDHS varsity squad, coached by Art Preuss, along with the Mercury, taught basketball skills to middle school girls from around the Valley, including dribbling, defense and shooting. Attending from the Mercury were General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale, Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis and players Leah Rush, Tyresa Smith, Kelly Miller and Mandisa Stevenson.

Mercury Teams Up with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, in conjunction with the City of Phoenix, will support the 2007 Plan-It League program. The Phoenix Mercury Plan-It League is a summer internship program that exposes interns to job opportunities in the sports industry. This program is open to incoming female high school juniors, seniors or college freshmen.

Sleep America “Get in Bed” Promotion
Phoenix Mercury General Manager, Ann Meyers Drysdale, joined KSLX morning show host Mark Mayfield at the Sleep America “Get in Bed” Promotion on April 5, 2007. Ann was on location to promote the food drive which benefited the St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Florence Crittenton Teaming Up for Kids!
More than 60 kids of all ages participated in a clinic hosted by the Mercury at Thunderbird High School in Phoenix on Saturday, July 16. The three-hour session consisted of drills, games, one-on-one question and answer sessions with Mercury players and an autograph session.

Celebrating 25 years of Changed Lives
Mercury President and COO Jay Parry and Mercury General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale attended the Florence Crittenton Teaming Up for Kids! Luncheon on March 22, 2007 at the Phoenician Resort.

Mercury Celebrate Breast Health Awareness
On August 25, 2005, the Mercury celebrated Breast Health Awareness with the help of Banner Health. The Mercury painted America West Arena pink with 5,000 pink pom-poms, which were handed out to fans as they entered the Arena. In addition, breast cancer survivors were recognized throughout the game via a ball exchange ceremony and player introductions.

Power Players by APS
The Phoenix Mercury are teaming up with APS and the Arizona Character Education Foundation.for a new program aimed at character-building education and sports-related opportunities for kids.

Mercury Fan Hits the Shop
All-Star guard Anna DeForge spent the afternoon shopping at the Chandler Fashion Center with the winner of the Westcor Shopping Spree Auction, with proceeds going to Phoenix Mercury Charities.

Mercury Tips Off Fan Appreciation Program
The Phoenix Mercury tipped off their 2004 ?We Want To See You? fan appreciation program at Majerle?s Sports Grill and Scoops Ice Cream & Coffee Lounge. The entire roster was on hand with Diana Taurasi, Adrian Williams and Kayte Christensen serving as celebrity waitresses. All tips were donated to Phoenix Mercury Charities.