WNBA FOCUSES ON GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IN AUGUST
NEW YORK, August 11 � While nearly 30 current and former WNBA players are reaching for the gold in Athens in August, the remaining players will be reaching out to their communities through a host of events designed to reinforce the league�s commitment to its fans. Community involvement has always been a top priority for the WNBA and its teams, and the break from games in August provides the league with a unique opportunity to connect with local communities and fans on a much grander scale.
�WNBA players are giving back to the community all year long because it�s something they and the league believe in,� said Kathleen Behrens, vice president of community relations. �The August break gives our players remaining in the US a chance to continue to reach out to their fans and their communities in a meaningful way, and shows how much our players appreciate the support they receive from fans throughout the season.�
Throughout the month of August, WNBA players and coaches will take part in more than 150 community-focused events, including fundraisers for local non-profit organizations, youth basketball camps and clinics, reading events and programs that promote physical activity among young people. Many of these activities fall under the umbrella of the WNBA�s three primary community initiatives � �WNBA Read to Achieve�, �WNBA Mind. Body. Spirit.� and �Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA� presented by Gatorade and Nike.
The �WNBA Mind. Body. Spirit.� program is the league�s primary cause-related campaign, focusing on two main components � nutrition, exercise and positive self-image, and breast health awareness. The platform includes events and programs that emphasize the importance of good nutrition, regular exercise and positive-self image and targets the WNBA�s youth fan base as well as their families.
�WNBA Read to Achieve� is a year-round, league-wide initiative supported by NBA, WNBA and NBDL 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.
The �Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA�, presented by Gatorade and Nike, is a support organization for recreational youth basketball leagues in the United States, Canada and abroad that connects players, parents, coaches and officials to heighten awareness and participation in youth basketball. Approximately 1,000 youth basketball leagues and about 50,000 teams (for boys and girls, ages 5-14 years-old) are 2003-2004 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA members. Additionally, 100,000 coaches and 600,000 players and their parents receive program support and materials. Of those 600,000 players, 250,000 are girls.
Highlights of events scheduled for the month of August include . . .
August 15-25 Connecticut Sun � The �Sun Torch Relay� will wind its way through eight Connecticut counties and encompass each of the WNBA�s key initiatives.
August 21 Los Angeles Sparks � The Sparks will host their 4th Annual Academic and Basketball skills clinic at the Crenshaw Christian Center in LA.
August 23 Minnesota Lynx � The Minnesota Lynx Caravan will be making stops at basketball clinics, children�s museums and the Minnesota Zoo to take part in Read to Achieve events.
August 25 Sacramento Monarchs � The Monarchs are opening a Reading and Learning Center at the Valley Hi � North Laguna Creek Library.
August 27 Detroit Shock � The Detroit Shock �Tip a Shock� event will see the team and coaching staff take over the wait staff duties at a local restaurant with the money raised from tips going to March of Dimes.
The WNBA and its players make nearly 2,000 combined appearances in their respective communities throughout the calendar year, reaching more than 30,000 children, fans and people in need in the process. For additional information about the WNBA and its community