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(David Dow/NBAE/Getty Images)

WNBA Cares at the 2008 WNBA Finals

  • Shock Open Reading and Learning Center at School
  • Silver Stars Open Center in San Antonio
  • Photo gallery: Follow along as WNBA players participate in WNBA Cares events.
  • WNBA Cares in New Orleans

  • The WNBA is deeply committed to WNBA CARES programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on promoting health and fitness, breast health awareness, reading and youth basketball programs.

    As we look forward to the 12th season of the WNBA, the league and its players continue to be recognized for their commitment to the community.
    WNBA Cares Fact Sheet

    WNBA CARES spots:

  • Cappie Pondexter, Tina Thompson and Tamika Catchings promote a healthy, active and safe lifestyle for teens
  • Sheryl Swoopes, Candice Dupree and Tangela Smith build houses with Habitat for Humanity
  • Swin Cash, Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith dedicate a new reading and learning center in Flint, Mich.

    Video of WNBA Cares Week events:

  • Connecticut Sun
  • Phoenix Mercury
  • Sacramento Monarchs
  • San Antonio Silver Stars

    READ TO ACHIEVE
    Read to Achieve is a year-round, league-wide initiative supported by NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League 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.

    National and local All-Star Reading Teams have been formed consisting of current and former NBA and WNBA players and other members of the NBA and WNBA family, who promote reading efforts through in-arena events, public service announcements and school and community appearances throughout the year.

    Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA
    The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA believes that lessons learned on- and off-the-court as a member of a team are lessons that are infinitely useful in building relationships at school, home and work. By stressing fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and positive adult participation, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA aims to develop a life-long passion for the game of basketball by providing a support structure that not only encourages participation, but also makes the game fun and rewarding for players, coaches, officials and parents.
  • BREAST HEALTH AWARENESS
    See your team's community involvement!

    The WNBA Breast Health Awareness program focuses on generating awareness and educating women about breast cancer in addition to raising funds for the initiative.

    More than $2 million was raised by the WNBA, its players and teams to help fight breast cancer through Breast Health Awareness program. Highlights include online auctions featuring games of HORSE with WNBA and NBA Stars, memorabilia and other autographed items.

    The WNBA and the American Heart Association have formed an alliance to promote the Go Red for Women campaign. GRFW encourages women to learn more about heart health, and raises awareness of the risks of heart disease in women.
    WNBA FIT

    The WNBA will embrace its responsibility as the preeminent women’s professional sports league with powerful role models to continue to deliver important messages and programs related to the areas of health, fitness, nutrition and self esteem.

    WNBA Fit will encourage teens and women of all ages to learn more about their bodies and the importance of physical fitness. Programming has been developed to encourage teens and women to get started on “being fit” through small changes in their daily regimen.



    NOTHING BUT NETS

    WNBA Cares has partnered with the United Nations Foundation on their new initiative, Nothing But Nets, a grassroots campaign asking individuals to donate $10 to "send a net, save a life."

    Each $10 donation pays for an insecticide-treated bed net, distributes it to a family in need in Africa and provides education on proper use to prevent malaria. Please visit nothingbutnets.net to find out how you can send a net to save a life!

    Follow along as San Antonio Silver Stars center Ruth Riley blogs about her travels to Africa with Nothing But Nets.

    Watch the new PSA!



    Silver Stars Ruth Riley and Shanna Crossley read to San Antonio-area children during the 2008 WNBA Finals.
    (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images)

    2008 Community Assist Award Winners:
  • September: Ruth Riley
  • August: Candice Wiggins
  • June: Sylvia Fowles


  • WNBA CARES SPOTLIGHT
    Toyota, WNBA Announce New Initiative
    Toyota Project Rebound will tie together the community efforts of the league through WNBA Cares, along with the efforts of the WNBA teams into a national program with the support of a single corporate partner in Toyota. The community rebuilding projects, include court refurbishments, the creation of Learning & Play Centers, and other Legacy Projects and will take place during the 2008 WNBA season.

    Fast Break to Reading
    The WNBA and Pitney Bowes have teamed up to support literacy and education in our local communities.

    Shoot for Hope
    Shoot for Hope is a collaboratively developed program between Southwest Airlines and the WNBA that gives deserving families who have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House and experienced challenging obstacles a chance to receive a special WNBA experience to inspire hope and support.

    Dawn Staley Community Assist Award
    The Dawn Staley Leadership Award was created to honor the WNBA Player who best exemplifies the characteristics of a leader in the community in which she works or lives. The award will reflect Dawn Staley’s contagious leadership, spirit, charitable efforts and love for the game.

    'I Am Powerful'
    The Washington Mystics and CARE explain how realizing their own potential can help to empower girls and women in less fortunate situations around the world.

    In the Community at NBA All-Star
    The WNBA and its players helped give back to fans and the New Orleans community throughout NBA All-Star with week-long WNBA Cares activities.

    Sacramento wins Court of Dreams
    The Sacramento area Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs and YMCA teamed up to win an official WNBA basketball court for the Sacramento community by taking first place in last season’s WNBA Court of Dreams ticket sales contest.

    Monday
    Jan. 5
    Free agent signing period begins
    Thursday
    Jan. 29
    Bowling with Rebekkah Brunson
    For Monarchs Season Ticket Prospects
    Sacramento, Calif.
    Friday
    April 3
    EuroLeague Final Four
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