Tina Charles, the WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder, has long set the standard for what leadership looks like on and off the court.
On Wednesday, the 36-year-old Connecticut Sun center earned the league’s 2025 Dawn Staley Community Leadership award for her Hopey’s Heart Foundation, which works to place Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at schools and community centers across the country.
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The former UConn women’s basketball star founded Hopey’s Heart Foundation in 2013 in honor of her late aunt, Maureen “Hopey,” with the mission to raise awareness for sudden cardiac arrest and accessible AEDs. This year, the family-run foundation placed its 500th AED, thanks to receiving a $20,000 donation from Yale New Haven Health, a longtime partner of the Connecticut Sun.
This is the second time in her WNBA career that Charles has earned the community impact award, also winning in 2012. According to the WNBA’s release, a designated committee selected Charles as this year’s recipient. In addition to the honor, the WNBA will also donate $10,000 to Hopey’s Heart Foundation.
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“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 from the WNBA. “I started the foundation in April of 2013 and never thought its impact would cast as wide as it has. I’m thankful to everyone who has supported the foundation along the way. Thank you.”
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Ahead of the Sun’s win against Phoenix on Saturday, Sept. 6, Yale New Haven Health presented Charles with a check for its donation. The donation will help Hopey’s Heart distribute AEDs in Connecticut, Westchester County, New York, and Washington County, Rhode Island. Also on Sept. 6, the Connecticut Governor’s Office presented Charles with a proclamation that said Sept. 6 will furthermore be ‘Hopey’s Heart Day’ in the state of Connecticut.
“Today meant everything,” Charles said following Yale New Haven Health’s donation. “I just want to say thank you to Yale New Haven Health for wanting to pledge that $20,000 for Hopey’s Heart Foundation to place 17 more AEDs to get to 500. Hopey’s Heart has been able to keep communities’ hearts safe, and it just means the world to me. In memory of my late aunt, to see my family on my aunt’s side, surprise me and be present— [they] who have been supportive of my nonprofit, [I’m] just very thankful. All glory to God for just choosing me for the mission to help keep communities’ hearts safe during my WNBA career. Very thankful to the Connecticut Sun organization, as well, and them just being helpful to be able to do this and have this impact.”
Charles and her family help to conduct the research, outreach and fundraising for Hopey’s Heart year-round. The future Hall of Famer has spoken at various community events, health fairs, and heart health campaigns During this WNBA season, Charles created a rebounding challenge that allowed fans and supporters to pledge donations for her on-court performance.
“In every aspect of her game and character, Tina stands as a representation of the ideals and spirit of the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in the release. “Throughout her remarkable career, Tina has consistently used her platform to raise awareness and drive meaningful change. Her dedication to service, advocacy, and giving back to the community reflects the values that define our league. Tina continues to build a legacy that will inspire generations to come.”
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Charles’ community impact also includes personally funding the construction of a school in Mali in 2012, opening educational opportunities for hundreds of children. Also, in New York City, Charles created “Hopey’s Week”, which features a series of sports safety clinics on injury awareness.
The Connecticut Sun conclude the 2025 season Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena, hosting the Atlanta Dream at 7 p.m.
Sep 10, 2025
UConn women’s basketball beat reporter
Maggie Vanoni covers UConn women’s basketball for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. She comes to Connecticut after growing up and working all along the West Coast, including stops at The Seattle Times and The Orange County Register. Before joining Hearst, she covered all things UCLA athletics for the OC Register. Outside of writing, she enjoys spontaneous adventures, reading, hiking and visiting her family back home in Portland, Ore.
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