Notre Dame women's basketball sensation Hannah Hidalgo's impact expands beyond the court
SOUTH BEND — The Hannah’s Helping Hands Foundation, named for and in cooperation with Notre Dame women's basketball star freshman Hannah Hidalgo, was introduced during a downtown press conference Thursday morning.
The foundation is expected to target both the South Bend area and the greater Philadelphia area, near Hidalgo’s hometown of Haddonfield, N.J.
“The foundation will provide outreach and philanthropic endeavors rooted in sports, health, education, financial literacy and family support with diversity and inclusion in mind,” organizers said in a news release.
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Tamara Hidalgo, Hannah’s mom, is serving as executive director.
Thursday was Hannah’s 19th birthday.
“It’s just the foundation of who she is as a person, a devout Christian,” Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said of Hidalgo taking part in the endeavor at a young age. “She has a solid foundation with her family and impacting the community is really important to her. … She has a heart of gold, and I’m excited for this foundation, and I’m excited to see how impactful she’s going to be with the South Bend community, but (also) the community as a whole throughout the world.”
South Bend Mayor James Mueller, Tamara Hidalgo and several business partners were part of Thursday’s gathering. Hannah did not attend.
Through the foundation and one of its partners, 40 school children received tickets, T-shirts and concessions for Thursday’s Notre Dame home game against Clemson.
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More information on the foundation is available at hannahshelpinghands.org or by emailing info.hannahshelpinghands.org.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Just 19, Notre Dame women's basketball freshman Hannah Hidalgo starts foundation
