Nick and Terry Saban Hold 7th Annual Nick’s Kids Luncheon

The seventh annual Nick's Kids Luncheon was held Thursday in The North Zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium where checks totaling more than $400,000 were presented to 115 local and state organizations. Since Nick and Terry Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2007, $4 million has been distributed to numerous charities and organizations throughout the state and surrounding areas. This year's total in terms of funds distributed through Nick's Kids initiatives was $700,000.

“This is the happiest day for me because it’s such a wonderful feeling to see so many young kids be here and be happy and also all of the people that support the young kids that we are able to help,” said Nick Saban. “I am so very proud of all the work that Terry and our core group have done that has supported Nick’s Kids.”

The money is raised through the annual Nick's Kids Golf Tournament, speaking engagements by Nick and Terry Saban, as well as individual donations. For the past two years, the Sabans have also assisted in raising money for various areas affected by the tornado that hit Alabama on April 27, 2011, as well as creating the 15 for 15 Home Building Project with Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa.

“I see a lot of people here today that spend their lives and commit their lives to helping the young kids have a better chance to be successful, to live a better quality of life, whatever their circumstance is,” added Saban. “I’d like to thank you all for all you do in terms of giving up yourself to help support the kids.”

Joining the Sabans at the luncheon were student-athletes Amari Cooper, Christion Jones, Cyrus Kouandjio, AJ McCarron, C.J. Mosley, Kevin Norwood, Anthony Steen, Vinnie Sunseri and Brian Vogler, who were on hand to take pictures with the kids and sign autographs.

In addition to their work with Nick's Kids, the Sabans have also been generous in terms of their personal donation to The University of Alabama for scholarships. In June of 2008, Nick and Terry made a $1 million pledge to the University for first-generation scholarships.