Bank of America Merrill Lynch, in partnership with the Atlanta Hawks, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Greater Atlanta and the Georgia Council on Economic Education, have teamed up to present the Stock Market Games, a 10-week team investment challenge meant to teach the basics of financial literacy.
The team challenge, made up of 6th, 7th and 8th graders, will invite 35 participants from Bellwood, Fuqua and Peachcrest Boys & Girls Clubs to try their hand at the stock market through a simulated investment game. In addition, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation is donating $2,500 to each of the participating Boys & Girls Clubs in support of this educational endeavor.
“The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta is very grateful to have The Atlanta Hawks and Bank of America Merrill Lynch giving back to our local youth,” said Major Todd Hawks, Atlanta Area Commander for The Salvation Army. “This is a very innovative approach to helping children learn about economics and financial literacy.”
Mentored and coached by Merrill Lynch volunteers, participants will invest a hypothetical $100,000 in common stocks on the New York and American Stock Exchanges as well as the NASDAQ. Hawks players Johan Petro, Mike Scott and John Jenkins will serve as team captains for the competing clubs and will make a visit to their teams on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013.
“At Bank of America, we know that skills based volunteerism can make a tremendous difference to nonprofit organizations and the people they serve,” said Geri Thomas, Georgia Market President, Bank of America. “By providing financial education to children at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs, we are equipping them with the necessary tools they need to make sound financial decisions now and in the future. It is our honor to join the Atlanta Hawks in creating brighter futures for the children in our Atlanta neighborhoods.”
At the conclusion of the 10-week competition, the team with the most profitable investments will be recognized during the Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks game on Friday, April 12, 2013, with an on-court halftime presentation.
For more information on the Stock Market Games, please visit www.Hawks.com.
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