| 2004: Read To Achieve - Lawrence Heights Middle School |
 October 19, 2004 -- The Toronto Raptors held their first NBA Read to
Achieve program visit of the season Tuesday at Lawrence Heights Middle
School in Toronto. Raptors Jalen Rose, Lamond Murray and Loren Woods
were on hand as the basketball club donated five thousand dollars to
launch the school's new Reading Corner. In addition, five hundred books
along with posters, bookmarks, and team materials were donated to the
school on behalf of the Raptors. Jalen is the proud spokeperson of the
Raptors Read To Achieve Program as well as a long-time member of the
NBA All-Star Reading Team. Reading Corners provide children attending these facilities with increased exposure to quality children's literature, an inviting and fun environment to read in, and the ability to bring home books and enhance family involvement in a child's reading activities. Reaching an estimated 50 million children a year, the NBA Read to Achieve program is the most extensive educational outreach initiative in the history of professional sports. Efforts of the program include the annual donation of more than a million books and magazines through a variety of reading events and incentive programs, as well as the development of essay contests and on-line programs. In an effort to provide greater access to books and technology, the NBA and its teams, along with national partners such as RIF®, Disney and Dell® have also created more than 90 Reading and Learning Centers and more than 80 Reading Corners throughout North America, South America and in South Africa. In addition to being supported by all NBA, WNBA and NBDL teams, Read to Achieve is supported by the NBA's officials, coaches, parents and wives of players organizations, and the NBA Players Association and Retired Players Association. As strong supporters of the Read to Achieve program, Jalen and the Toronto Raptors recognize the value of reading and on-line literacy and encourage families and adults to read regularly with children. |
