October 2024
Backpacks
The foundation's first backpack giveaway sent K–8 students in downtown South Bend back to school with free backpacks and supplies.
Hannah Hidalgo
Notre Dame's No. 3 holds the NCAA records for steals in a game and in a season. Off the court, she gives back through Hannah's Helping Hands.
“Something just happens when I'm lacing up my shoes; a switch gets flipped.”
From Merchantville, New Jersey, to Notre Dame, that switch has rewritten the record book. The same drive puts backpacks, winter coats and books into kids' hands in South Bend and Camden.
Where it started
A South Jersey kid who grew up competing with four brothers and got coached by her dad.
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2005
Born February 22 at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, New Jersey.
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2022
Wins gold with USA Basketball at the FIBA U17 World Cup. That November, she commits to Notre Dame.
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2023
Leaves Paul VI High School with 2,135 points and New Jersey's Gatorade Player of the Year award. Her head coach there: her dad, Orlando.
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2023
Co-MVP of the McDonald's All American Game with a record 26 points, gold at the U19 World Cup, and USA Basketball's Female Athlete of the Year.
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2023–24
Scores 31 in her college debut, leads the nation in steals, and is MVP of Notre Dame's ACC Tournament title run.
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2024
On her 19th birthday, launches Hannah's Helping Hands in South Bend.
Meet the foundation
Then came Notre Dame
1,000 points in 44 games, the fastest in program history. 2,000 in 86, the fastest in ACC history.
Hannah Hidalgo
Guard, Notre Dame
Career line
- Points
- 23.9
- Rebounds
- 6.1
- Assists
- 4.8
- Steals
- 4.7
| Season | Pts | Reb | Ast | Stl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 22.6 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 4.6 |
| 2024–25 | 23.8 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 3.7 |
| 2025–26 | 25.3 | 6.9 | 5.2 | 5.6 |
The trophy shelf
- Naismith Defensive Player of the Year2026
- Wooden Award All-American3 times
- AP All-America first team2024, 2025
- ACC Player of the Year2025, 2026
- ACC Defensive Player of the Year2024, 2025, 2026
- Dawn Staley Award2024
- FIBA AmeriCup gold2025
Senior season and team captain in 2026–27.
Up and under
One possession against North Carolina, one frame at a time. Keep scrolling to run it back.
Footage: ESPN
November 12, 2025
Notre Dame 85, Akron 58
Record night
44points, a Notre Dame record
16steals, an NCAA Division I record
All in 28 minutes. She finished that season with 202 steals, another NCAA record.
Watch the highlightsWatch her work
Five highlight films from ESPN. Sound on.
She plays loud
“I think I'm a dog. I like to play with that kind of fire.”
“I hate losing more than I love winning.”
Off the court
Film major. Sister of four brothers. Still exploring her Puerto Rican roots.
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Film, television and theatre
Her major at Notre Dame.
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Four brothers
“If you grew up with four brothers, like I did, you grew up living DBZ.”
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Puerto Rican roots
Her dad's family is Puerto Rican. Her favorites so far: pasteles, red beans and rice, Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny.
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On screen
Season two of ESPN's docuseries Full Court Press followed her. It premiered in May 2025.
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Partners
Red Bull, New Era and Unrivaled.
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Faith
“My faith is something that I can always bank on for perspective—win or lose.”
Hannah's Helping Hands
Hannah's Helping Hands Foundation empowers youth through community outreach and financial literacy — because limits are meant to be surpassed.
Hannah launched the foundation in South Bend on February 22, 2024, her 19th birthday, and took 40 kids to Notre Dame's game against Clemson. It serves South Bend, Indiana, the Delaware Valley, and any community it is called to serve.
October 2025
Winter coats
About 40 kids in South Bend went home with winter coats, and pizza.
August 2026
Books
150 children's books for young patients at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, the hospital where Hannah was born. She signed mini basketballs, too.
Workshops
Financial literacy
“Money is power — and every young person deserves to understand it. Our financial literacy workshops equip youth with the tools to build wealth, make smart decisions, and own their future.”
Illustrations were generated for this site and are not photos of foundation events.
Five pillars
Sports
We use the power of athletics to teach discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
Health
Physical and mental wellness are the foundation of a thriving life.
Education
Knowledge is the great equalizer. We champion academic excellence, financial literacy, and lifelong learning.
Community
We show up where it matters most — building bridges, creating opportunities, and strengthening the neighborhoods that raised us.
Faith
Faith is the anchor of our work. We honor the belief that every person is gifted, every community is worth fighting for, and every goal is reachable.
“I think it's a blessing to be able to be an inspiration to the kids.”
Leadership
- Tamara Hidalgo, founder and board member
- Orlando Hidalgo, board member
- Troy Oglesby Sr., advisor and marketing
- Jay Thatcher, board member
- Tracy Bonaventure, board member
Give a hand
Whether you're a community partner, a sponsor, or someone who just believes in what we're building — there's a place for you in this movement.
Send mail to Hannah's Helping Hands Foundation, 600 N Kings Hwy, Unit 8383, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.
Become a sponsor
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Community Champion
- Logo on the website
- Social media recognition
- Certificate of partnership
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Impact Partner
- Everything in Bronze
- Logo on event materials
- Newsletter feature
- 2 event invitations
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Legacy Sponsor
- Everything in Silver
- Named program sponsorship
- Speaking opportunity at events
- Dedicated social media feature
- VIP event access