The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Athletics and Protective Life Corporation Announce MVPs for 2023 season
8/30/2023 9:31:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB Department of Athletics and Blazer Sports Properties/Learfield have announced their continued partnership with Protective Life Corporation for the highly anticipated Most Valuable Protector (MVP) program. This initiative aims to honor exceptional community organizations during each of UAB's home football games this fall.
The weekly MVPs receive game tickets and hospitality passes, on-field recognition, an opportunity to deliver the game ball and a donation from the Protective Life Foundation.
The upcoming football season marks five years of the MVP program with funds donated to over 26 local, non-profit organizations.
Protective remains dedicated to recognizing and commending local nonprofit organizations that embody the true essence of being a "protector." Protective is deeply committed to giving back to the community and making a lasting impact by honoring organizations that align with this mission.
This year's Protective MVPs are listed below in correspondence with the games:
Game 1: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham
Football season kicks off on Aug. 31 with UAB going head-to-head against North Carolina A&T. Protective will take the kickoff as an opportunity to recognize Habitat for Humanity as the first MVPs of the season.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization, focusing on "building homes, communities, and hope," as per their mission. The organization was founded on the basic principle that everyone, regardless of their background, should have a home to live in.
Habitat is critical to the Protecting Good Strengthen and Repair program, which is a collaborative project with Protective, the City of Birmingham and the State Department of Insurance. As a joint effort, they serve the community members in Northside Birmingham living near Protective Stadium. With Habitat's help, the program helps qualified residents receive assistance with roof replacement to protect their homes against storm and wind damage. To date over 100 homes have been part of the neighborhood revitalization program.
Game 2: Smile-a-Mile
While UAB takes on Louisiana on Sep. 16, Protective will be doing their part by raising childhood cancer awareness with Smile-a-Mile.
Smile-A-Mile supports those in Alabama who are affected by childhood cancer, providing them with meaningful and educational programs. Camp SAM, as it's affectionately known, started as a single summer camp session 35 years ago. The organization has evolved into a year-round program that serves
families through diagnosis and treatment.
Game 3: Children's Harbor
On Oct. 7, join in the celebrations of Family Weekend as the Blazers face off against USF for their first home AAC game. On game day, Protective will recognize the work Children's Harbor does to support the families impacted by childhood cancer.
Children's Harbor supports families of chronically ill children by providing refuge, respite, and resources. Founded in 1989, Children's Harbor's no-cost services are offered at both the Lake Martin campus and The Harbor Family Center located at Children's of Alabama in Birmingham.
Game 4: Blazer Kitchen
In the ultimate Battle for the Bones, the Blazers will renew their longtime rivalry with Memphis on Oct. 21. Protective will recognize Blazer Kitchen for their efforts to address the issue of food insecurity in the UAB community.
Blazer Kitchen has provided nearly 145,000 meals to UAB employees, students and community members dealing with food insecurity.
Game 5: Birmingham Talks, Childcare Resources and Bundles of Hope
Homecoming weekend will be even more special as the Blazers take the field against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 4. To mark the occasion, Protective will recognize three organizations for their impact on children in our communities: Birmingham Talks, Childcare Resources and Bundles of Hope. Each of these organizations plays a significant role in the local community by providing individuals and families with children the assistance and resources they need.
Birmingham Talks strives to help build lifetime literacy by offering a free citywide program that supports babies from birth until three years old, with the help of tools like LENA, a wearable accessory that tracks words spoken to babies, and expert coaches that review the data and make suggestions on how to build childhood literacy.
Childcare Resources is a nonprofit organization that strives to make quality care and education accessible for children. Childcare Resources offers services such as financial assistance for low-to-moderate income families, training and technical assistance for childcare providers, research-driven parent education resources and other assistance to hundreds of families in search of quality childcare options.
Bundles of Hope serves the community by meeting a basic, essential and daily needs of young families in Alabama. Diapers are an expensive necessity, and they are not covered by any government program. The Bank helps families experiencing "diaper need" due to financial hardship by providing diapers at no cost.
Game 6: Lakeshore Foundation
Honoring Salute to Service and Senior Day on Nov. 18, UAB will be tackling Temple during the last game of the season, with Protective recognizing Lakeshore Foundation as the MVP of the game. Founded in 1926, Lakeshore Foundation's mission is to grant opportunities to individuals with disabilities so they can lead healthy lifestyles by offering physical activity opportunities, research, advocacy and promoting healthy living.
Join Protective in honoring organizations that play a pivotal role in providing necessary assistance, resources and hope, in our community.
The weekly MVPs receive game tickets and hospitality passes, on-field recognition, an opportunity to deliver the game ball and a donation from the Protective Life Foundation.
The upcoming football season marks five years of the MVP program with funds donated to over 26 local, non-profit organizations.
Protective remains dedicated to recognizing and commending local nonprofit organizations that embody the true essence of being a "protector." Protective is deeply committed to giving back to the community and making a lasting impact by honoring organizations that align with this mission.
This year's Protective MVPs are listed below in correspondence with the games:
Game 1: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham
Football season kicks off on Aug. 31 with UAB going head-to-head against North Carolina A&T. Protective will take the kickoff as an opportunity to recognize Habitat for Humanity as the first MVPs of the season.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization, focusing on "building homes, communities, and hope," as per their mission. The organization was founded on the basic principle that everyone, regardless of their background, should have a home to live in.
Habitat is critical to the Protecting Good Strengthen and Repair program, which is a collaborative project with Protective, the City of Birmingham and the State Department of Insurance. As a joint effort, they serve the community members in Northside Birmingham living near Protective Stadium. With Habitat's help, the program helps qualified residents receive assistance with roof replacement to protect their homes against storm and wind damage. To date over 100 homes have been part of the neighborhood revitalization program.
Game 2: Smile-a-Mile
While UAB takes on Louisiana on Sep. 16, Protective will be doing their part by raising childhood cancer awareness with Smile-a-Mile.
Smile-A-Mile supports those in Alabama who are affected by childhood cancer, providing them with meaningful and educational programs. Camp SAM, as it's affectionately known, started as a single summer camp session 35 years ago. The organization has evolved into a year-round program that serves
families through diagnosis and treatment.
Game 3: Children's Harbor
On Oct. 7, join in the celebrations of Family Weekend as the Blazers face off against USF for their first home AAC game. On game day, Protective will recognize the work Children's Harbor does to support the families impacted by childhood cancer.
Children's Harbor supports families of chronically ill children by providing refuge, respite, and resources. Founded in 1989, Children's Harbor's no-cost services are offered at both the Lake Martin campus and The Harbor Family Center located at Children's of Alabama in Birmingham.
Game 4: Blazer Kitchen
In the ultimate Battle for the Bones, the Blazers will renew their longtime rivalry with Memphis on Oct. 21. Protective will recognize Blazer Kitchen for their efforts to address the issue of food insecurity in the UAB community.
Blazer Kitchen has provided nearly 145,000 meals to UAB employees, students and community members dealing with food insecurity.
Game 5: Birmingham Talks, Childcare Resources and Bundles of Hope
Homecoming weekend will be even more special as the Blazers take the field against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 4. To mark the occasion, Protective will recognize three organizations for their impact on children in our communities: Birmingham Talks, Childcare Resources and Bundles of Hope. Each of these organizations plays a significant role in the local community by providing individuals and families with children the assistance and resources they need.
Birmingham Talks strives to help build lifetime literacy by offering a free citywide program that supports babies from birth until three years old, with the help of tools like LENA, a wearable accessory that tracks words spoken to babies, and expert coaches that review the data and make suggestions on how to build childhood literacy.
Childcare Resources is a nonprofit organization that strives to make quality care and education accessible for children. Childcare Resources offers services such as financial assistance for low-to-moderate income families, training and technical assistance for childcare providers, research-driven parent education resources and other assistance to hundreds of families in search of quality childcare options.
Bundles of Hope serves the community by meeting a basic, essential and daily needs of young families in Alabama. Diapers are an expensive necessity, and they are not covered by any government program. The Bank helps families experiencing "diaper need" due to financial hardship by providing diapers at no cost.
Game 6: Lakeshore Foundation
Honoring Salute to Service and Senior Day on Nov. 18, UAB will be tackling Temple during the last game of the season, with Protective recognizing Lakeshore Foundation as the MVP of the game. Founded in 1926, Lakeshore Foundation's mission is to grant opportunities to individuals with disabilities so they can lead healthy lifestyles by offering physical activity opportunities, research, advocacy and promoting healthy living.
Join Protective in honoring organizations that play a pivotal role in providing necessary assistance, resources and hope, in our community.
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