38th Annual Philadelphia All Star Labor Classic Is Sunday, April 13th

IBEW Local 98 and our partners in the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council pride ourselves on giving back to the communities in which our members live, work and play. Our single biggest annual charity event is the Philadelphia All Star Labor Classic, the Building Trades’ long-standing high school basketball showcase, which was will once again collaborate with The Superhero Project non-profit for its 2025 event on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Holy Family University. IBEW Local 98 is proud to be a Grand Sponsor of this year’s event.

This inspiring Superhero Project non-profit provides “Angel Eye Cameras” to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), enabling parents of newborns to see their hospitalized babies remotely through their cell phones or laptops. This technology offers an invaluable emotional connection for families unable to be at their baby’s bedside, supporting the parents’ mental and emotional well-being during these challenging times. Additionally the nonprofit has family-centric programs so that all mothers, fathers and caregivers feel they’re a part of a community during a most difficult period in their lives. Founded in Philadelphia in 2015, The Superhero Project has grown from a local initiative to a national organization, touching the lives of families across the country.

IBEW Local 98’s and the Trades’ commitment to the Superhero Project is deeply personal. Kelly Ross, the Building Trades’ longtime Office Manager, and her husband, Ryan, are parents to three children born prematurely: their eldest daughter, Lacey, and twin sons, Miles and Cole. Born at just 29 weeks gestation in 2022, the twins spent 54 days in the Holy Redeemer Hospital NICU. The “Angel Eye Cameras,” provided by The Superhero Project, allowed Kelly and Ryan to stay connected to their children, even when they couldn’t physically be at their bedsides. Kelly is family to us. When we learned about her young family’s challenging experience and the life-changing work of The Superhero Project, we knew this was a cause we wanted to support. It’s a privilege to support an organization that brings hope and connection to families during their most vulnerable moments.

In 2024, the Building Trades set an ambitious goal to raise $200,000 for The Superhero Project through the All Star Labor Classic. We exceeded expectations, raising a record-breaking $207,050—the largest single donation the nonprofit has ever received. We and the Trades Council are determined to surpass that total this year.

In addition to raising funds for the Superhero Project, the annual All Star Labor Classic provides $500 college scholarships to every participating high school hoops player. The Player Selection Committee is currently accepting nominations for the Boys and Girls All Star squads. School administrators, coaches and parents may submit via email the senior high school basketball players’ name, school, position, statistics and contact information to phillylaborclassic@gmail.com.