The WNBA is deeply committed to WNBA CARES programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on promoting health and fitness, breast health awareness, reading and youth basketball programs.
As we look forward to the 14th season of the WNBA, the league and its players continue to be recognized for their commitment to the community.
During Green Week, the entire WNBA family teamed up to generate awareness and funding to protect the environment with special oncourt apparel, auctions to support environmental preservation organizations, public service announcements, and hands-on community service projects.
Video: March for Babies
Candace Parker and Michael Cooper of the Sparks participate in the March of Dimes March for Babies in Los Angeles.
READ TO ACHIEVE
Read to Achieve is a year-round, league-wide initiative supported by NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League teams that promotes the values of reading and on-line literacy and encourages families and adults to read regularly with young children. The program includes thousands of reading time-outs, the donation of books and literacy materials, and the creation of Reading and Learning Centers and Reading Corners throughout the world.
National and local All-Star Reading Teams have been formed consisting of current and former NBA and WNBA players and other members of the NBA and WNBA family, who promote reading efforts through in-arena events, public service announcements and school and community appearances throughout the year.
The WNBA Breast Health Awareness program focuses on generating awareness and educating women about breast cancer in addition to raising funds for the initiative.
More than $2 million was raised by the WNBA, its players and teams to help fight breast cancer through Breast Health Awareness program. Highlights include online auctions featuring games of HORSE with WNBA and NBA Stars, memorabilia and other autographed items.
The WNBA and the American Heart Association have formed an alliance to promote the Go Red for Women campaign which encourages women to learn more about heart health, and raises awareness of the risks of heart disease in women.
The WNBA will embrace its responsibility as the preeminent women’s professional sports league with powerful role models to continue to deliver important messages and programs related to the areas of health, fitness, nutrition and self esteem.
WNBA Fit will encourage teens and women of all ages to learn more about their bodies and the importance of physical fitness. Programming has been developed to encourage teens and women to get started on “being fit” through small changes in their daily regimen.
WNBA Cares has partnered with the United Nations Foundation on their new initiative, Nothing But Nets, a grassroots campaign asking individuals to donate $10 to "send a net, save a life."
Each $10 donation pays for an insecticide-treated bed net, distributes it to a family in need in Africa and provides education on proper use to prevent malaria. Please visit nothingbutnets.net to find out how you can send a net to save a life!
Toyota Project Rebound
Now in its second season, Toyota Project Rebound is a community initiative established by the NBA and Toyota. To date the program has created over 50 hands-on community service projects all hosted by NBA, WNBA and D-League teams, which include court refurbishments, the creation of Learn & Play Centers, and other Legacy Projects providing youth safe places to live, learn or play. The Toyota Project Rebound contest (formerly Court of Dreams) will be the 6th season for this ticket-based incentive program for local community groups.
Fast Break to Reading
The WNBA and Pitney Bowes have teamed up to support literacy and education in our local communities. The Fast Break to Reading program encourages youth nationwide to read for one million minutes.
Dawn Staley Community Assist Award
The Dawn Staley Leadership Award was created to honor the WNBA Player who best exemplifies the characteristics of a leader in the community in which she works or lives. The award will reflect Dawn Staley’s contagious leadership, spirit, charitable efforts and love for the game.
'I Am Powerful'
The Washington Mystics and CARE explain how realizing their own potential can help to empower girls and women in less fortunate situations around the world.
Vaccines for Teens
A national multimedia campaign designed to educate teens and their parents about the importance of vaccination against, potentially life-threatening diseases.
In the Community at NBA All-Star
The WNBA and its players helped give back to fans and the Phoenix community throughout NBA All-Star with week-long WNBA Cares activities.