Thu Sep 11 00:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

WNBA star Tina Charles has been awarded the 2025 Dawn Staley Community Award for her commitment to service through her Hopey’s Heart Foundation. The foundation recently placed its 500th AED in communities and schools to combat sudden cardiac arrest. This marks Charles’ second time receiving the award. In addition to her charitable work, Charles has recently become the WNBA’s all-time leader in made field goals, adding to her impressive career achievements.

**News Article:**

**Tina Charles Receives Dawn Staley Community Award, Foundation Reaches Milestone**

**Uncasville, CT –** Connecticut Sun veteran Tina Charles has been named the recipient of the 2025 Dawn Staley Community Award, the WNBA announced Wednesday. This marks Charles’ second time receiving the honor, recognizing her extraordinary dedication to service and social justice through her Hopey’s Heart Foundation. The foundation, founded in 2013 in memory of her aunt Maureen “Hopey” Vaz, recently placed its 500th Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in schools, recreation centers, and communities, providing potentially life-saving resources to combat sudden cardiac arrest.

“Through my mother at a young age, I learned the importance of being a servant unto others, and receiving the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award is truly special for me — especially for Hopey’s Heart Foundation to receive this honor through its work in raising awareness for sudden cardiac arrest,” Charles said in a release.

In conjunction with the award, the WNBA will donate $10,000 to Hopey’s Heart Foundation. This past year, Yale New Haven Health contributed $20,000 toward AED distribution, helping the foundation reach its significant milestone. Charles also runs a rebounding initiative where fans pledge donations for every rebound she secures.

The award comes during a remarkable week for the future Hall of Famer, who recently surpassed another milestone as the WNBA’s all-time leader in made field goals. Already leading the league in career rebounds and standing second in all-time scoring, Charles continues to make an impact both on and off the court.

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