Alysha Clark resumes her role with the Storm, continuing her charitable efforts through toy drives.
Alysha Clark's Bonds with Seattle and Seattle Children's Hospital Run Deep
Seattle Storm's Alysha Clark, a Denver native who starred collegiately at Belmont and Middle Tennessee, established a special connection with Seattle nearly a decade ago, during a visit to the children's hospital. A lockdown defender at small forward, Clark struck up a conversation with a season-ticket holder and nurse in the cancer unit, leading to her volunteer work at Seattle Children's Hospital. This interaction sparked the idea for Clark's annual toy drive, which has proven to be as defining for her as her accomplishments on the court.
Clark recognized the importance of the playroom housing the hospital's toys, particularly for the immunocompromised cancer patients who cannot leave their floors. This realization marked the genesis of her toy drive, which has now collected over 15,000 toys since 2015.
"When you talk about legacy, I think that is exemplary of what legacy means," Storm coach Noelle Quinn stated. "Obviously AC is an amazing individual who cares more than just about winning championships or what she does on the court. It's about the lives she's impacted for 11 years, and to have her here again, and to have to continue to build on that legacy, is powerful for me to be a part of and see that."
The event will take place on Friday when the Storm (3-2) faces Atlanta Dream (4-2) at Climate Pledge Arena. Fans are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at donation bins placed throughout the concourse. Online donations and Amazon Wish List contributions are also accepted.
Clark left the Storm via free agency in 2022 but returned this year to continue the initiative she had started. teammates Ezi Magbegor and Sami Whitcomb kept the toy drive alive during her absence.
"It's something that I really felt passionate about," Magbegor said. "I love kids. And to be able to support a great cause and carry that on, it's great to see it continuing."
Clark began fundraising for the Seattle Children's dialysis unit in 2019, reporting to have raised more than $30,000 to date. During her 13-year WNBA career, Clark has made countless visits to Seattle Children's and forged lifelong relationships with the children and their families.
"The toy drive has changed my life," Clark said. "It keeps life in perspective. (Basketball) is a game and we get to come out here and play, but there are people going through real life things.
"Being involved with Seattle Children's allows me to find a positive way to use my platform and really highlight the goodness that is out there. I feel like there's a lot of goodness in the world that's being overshadowed by a lot of the negative stuff. And for me to use my platform to be a light is something I want to make happen."
- Alysha Clark, a Seattle Storm player and a long-time supporter of Seattle Children's Hospital, will continue her annual toy drive this Friday at Climate Pledge Arena.
- Tracing back to a conversation with a season-ticket holder and nurse in the cancer unit, Clark's toy drive has collected over 15,000 toys since 2015, growing to become as defining for her as her accomplishments on the court.
- The WNBA player, who has made countless visits to Seattle Children's throughout her 13-year career, has also fundraised for the Seattle Children's dialysis unit, having raised over $30,000 to date.
- Clark's teammates, Ezi Magbegor and Sami Whitcomb, kept the toy drive alive during her absence in 2022, and the player expressed that the drive has changed her life, keeping basketball in perspective amidst the challenges faced by those at Seattle Children's Hospital.
