‘NBA Cares’ Launches All-Star 2015 Community Outreach in New York

The NBA launched a seasonlong All-Star community outreach program in New York today under the leadership of NBA Cares. Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday morning at Midland Beach, one of the areas of Staten Island most impacted by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts announced “a seasonlong effort to reach hundreds of thousands of youth throughout New York City’s five boroughs through fun, fitness-related basketball activities” as part of NBA Cares’ All-Star 2015 community outreach efforts.

Members from across the basketball spectrum were on hand as well, including Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko, Knicks center Cole Aldrich, Orlando Magic guard and NBPA Vice President Willie Green, Connecticut Sun forward Chiney Ogwumike, and New York Liberty guard/forward Essence Carson, as well as Nets general manager Billy King and Knicks head coach Derek Fisher.

“Our city’s children thrive when they have safe, open spaces to explore, learn and play – and the NBA’s community efforts this year will reach hundreds of thousands of children in neighborhoods across the five boroughs. I want to thank all those involved for helping refurbish Midland Beach’s playground after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, and providing this local community with a safe, open space for Staten Island’s children to enjoy,” said Mayor de Blasio.

“New York City is a mecca for basketball and this season’s NBA All-Star Game is the perfect opportunity to give back to the city that has meant so much to the game,” said Silver. “Beginning today and throughout the season, we will celebrate the game by bringing to the youth of New York, across all five boroughs, community-based programs that focus on basketball, fitness, nutrition and healthy living.”

“New York City has a unique and richly deserved connection with the game of basketball and the city has been the home and headquarters of the NBPA for almost fifty years,” according to Roberts. “On behalf of all of our players, we are delighted to contribute to the annual celebration of the game during NBA All-Star 2015. NBA players take special pride in using the game that they love to assist many of the diverse communities that help make New York the extraordinary city that it is.”

More than 1,000 employees of the NBA league offices, the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks were slated to participate in the first day of NBA Cares activities that stretched across the boroughs of New York.

"In Brooklyn, Nets players and employees will provide Healthy Eating Cafeteria Makeovers to three schools and students with Nets-branded school supplies. The makeovers are part of the Brooklyn Nets Assist program, which stands to support four key pillars: Education, Athletics, Health & Wellness, and Community Development. In Manhattan, the Knicks, the Liberty and the Garden of Dreams Foundation will dedicate a refurbished basketball court at the Children’s Aid Society in Harlem, distribute school supplies to community youth, and assemble healthy lunches that will be distributed to local shelters that are part of Life Center. To celebrate the game throughout the season, the NBA family will teach the values of the sport, including hard work, discipline, leadership, and teamwork. Across the five boroughs, NBA Cares will work with local community-based organizations and schools to host and enhance programs that encourage basketball skill development, fitness and nutrition."

And today’s work by NBA Cares isn’t limited to New York, city or state:

If you’re interested in lending a helping hand, you can see what projects NBA Cares is leading in your area by visiting their website, http://www.nba.com/cares/