Tamika Williams

The Lynx held their first Reading Time Out as part of the WNBA's Read to Achieve literacy program on Thursday at Jefferson Elementary School in Minneapolis.

Lynx players Janell Burse, Betty Lennox, Shanele Stires, Michele Van Gorp and Tamika Williams conducted a full-school assembly before visiting individual classrooms to read books. The team donated books and a full set of the World Book Encyclopedia to the school's library. Players also passed out tickets to Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Sparks.

In an effort to promote the importance of reading, on-line literacy and parent/child reading, the NBA, WNBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx have developed a year-round program called Read To Achieve. The program's components include monthly reading events (Reading Time Outs), a local and national All-Star Reading Team, the development or refurbishment of reading centers, local book donations, public service announcements and in-arena promotions.

Shanele Stires