WNBA.com: CARES

UNITED WE SERVE

Through the "United We Serve" initiative, the United States government is calling on all Americans to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation. Join the team now! More: President Obama Video

WNBA Cares at the 2008 WNBA Finals

Shock Open Reading and Learning Center at School

Silver Stars Open Center in San Antonio

Photo gallery: Follow along as WNBA players participate in WNBA Cares events.

WNBA Cares in New Orleans

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 12th season of the WNBA, the league and its players continue to be recognized for their commitment to the community.
WNBA Cares Fact Sheet

WNBA CARES spots:

Cappie Pondexter, Tina Thompson and Tamika Catchings promote a healthy, active and safe lifestyle for teens

Sheryl Swoopes, Candice Dupree and Tangela Smith build houses with Habitat for Humanity

Swin Cash, Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith dedicate a new reading and learning center in Flint, Mich.

Video of WNBA Cares Week events:

Connecticut Sun

Phoenix Mercury

Sacramento Monarchs

San Antonio Silver Stars

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.

Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA believes that lessons learned on- and off-the-court as a member of a team are lessons that are infinitely useful in building relationships at school, home and work. By stressing fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and positive adult participation, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA aims to develop a life-long passion for the game of basketball by providing a support structure that not only encourages participation, but also makes the game fun and rewarding for players, coaches, officials and parents.

BREAST HEALTH AWARENESS

See your team's community involvement!

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.

GO RED FOR WOMEN

The WNBA and the American Heart Association have formed an alliance to promote the Go Red for Women campaign. GRFW encourages women to learn more about heart health, and raises awareness of the risks of heart disease in women.

WNBA FIT

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.

NOTHING BUT NETS

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!

Follow along as San Antonio Silver Stars center Ruth Riley blogs about her travels to Africa with Nothing But Nets.

Watch the new PSA!

Silver Stars Ruth Riley and Shanna Crossley read to San Antonio-area children during the 2008 WNBA Finals.
(Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images)

2008 Community Assist Award Winners:

September: Ruth Riley

August: Candice Wiggins

June: Sylvia Fowles

WNBA CARES SPOTLIGHT

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.

Shoot for Hope
Shoot for Hope is a collaboratively developed program between Southwest Airlines and the WNBA that gives deserving families who have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House and experienced challenging obstacles a chance to receive a special WNBA experience to inspire hope and support.

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.

2009 winner: Tamika Raymond

2008 winner: Tamika Catchings

'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.

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.

Sacramento wins Court of Dreams
The Sacramento area Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs and YMCA teamed up to win an official WNBA basketball court for the Sacramento community by taking first place in last season’s WNBA Court of Dreams ticket sales contest.