The Connecticut Sun and the Groton Sub Base Youth Center celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new Connecticut Sun Reading & Learning Center on the morning of July 8th. The ceremony at the youth center was the part of the WNBA All-Star Legacy Project's Read To Achieve program, a year-round initiative promoting reading and literacy among families.

The Read to Achieve program donated $35,000 toward the restoration of the center's existing reading room. The money was used to purchase new furniture, rugs and paint. The project also donated 2,500 new books including a lot of young favorites.

The Groton center serves military families and offers after-school programs for kids 5 to 12 years old.

The event kicked off shortly after 9 a.m. in the center’s gym with opening remarks from retired WNBA player and U.S. Olympic gold medalist Carla McGhee.

McGhee led the audience through an impromptu cheer before emphasizing the benefits of literacy.

"You've got a lot of smart people here who know how important reading is," said McGhee, motioning back toward her fellow athletes. "You've got to make sure you know how to read those contracts. Make sure the money is right."

A number of WNBA notables were on hand including Sun players Taj McWilliams Franklin, Nykesha Sales,Coach Mike Thibault and Sun mascot Blaze. Other players in attendance were legend Rebecca Lobo, Marie Ferdinand, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and WNBA President Donna Orender. Representing the Sub Base was Submarine Base Commander, Capt. Sean Sullivan.

After the opening rally, everyone moved into the cozy new reading and learning center for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Immediately following, Taj McWilliams Franklin along with Coach Thibault and Capt. Sullivan sat down to read Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak to a crowd of kids (and Blaze) at their feet.