Celtic's Ray Allen Receives NBA Cares Community Assist Award Jan 2011

[VNewz...]

 

 BOSTON CELTICS GUARD RAY ALLEN RECEIVES NBA CARES COMMUNITY ASSIST AWARD
                                FOR JANUARY

NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2011 – The NBA has named Celtics All-Star guard Ray
Allen the recipient of the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for January in
recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and his ongoing
philanthropic and charitable work.

The NBA is honoring Allen in part for his efforts in supporting U.S.
soldiers overseas and his commitment to supporting community-based programs
for local youth and families.  Allen tipped off the month by taking time to
chat via video link to members of the 3rd Battalion 126 Aviation Regiment
Unit currently stationed in Kuwait.  Having come from a military family,
Allen appreciates the sacrifices made by U.S. soldiers and spent the time
thanking the men and women for their bravery and answering their questions.
Later in the month, Allen provided 20 tickets to active-duty military
soldiers and their families through the Celtics Seats for Soldiers program.
Prior to tip-off, Ray came out and met with 100 military soldiers and their
families.

Allen also took time in January to join Massachusetts Governor Deval
Patrick for Project 351, a day that was focused on Massachusetts’
commitment toward the next generation of leaders, role models, and
learners.  Each city and town in Massachusetts selected one eighth grader
that spent a day of service joined by the governor and Ray Allen.  Ray
worked with eighth graders from across the state to pack apples and gift
bags for the elderly.  In addition, he spent time speaking to the youth and
encouraging them to remain dedicated to their goals.  Allen also filmed a
PSA for Project 351 and purchased tickets for a Celtics game for the
children and their mentors.

“It’s crucial to support today’s youth because they are the next generation
of leaders,” said Allen.  “Building technology labs and just taking the
time to speak with them goes a long way.  I had a lot of people that helped
me growing up and I want to do the same for our youth today.”

In an effort to educate fans about some of the extraordinary
African-American leaders, Allen also recently taped multiple vignettes in
which he talked about Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Harriet Tubman, and
W.E.B. Dubois, among others.  The vignettes are airing in-arena throughout
February.  In January, the Ray of Hope Foundation announced that it would
create a new computer lab in a local Boston community center.  Earlier this
season, Allen participated in the creation of the Raytheon computer lab in
a Boston school and saw the impact it had on the students.

As an NBA Cares Community Assist Award recipient, Allen will receive the
David Robinson Plaque with the inscription, “Following the standard set by
NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.”  In
addition, the NBA will donate $5,000 to the charitable foundation of his
choice.

The league presents the NBA Cares Community Assist Award monthly throughout
the season and once following each offseason to recognize players for their
year-round charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who best
reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back
to their communities.

To learn more about NBA Cares, please log on to www.nbacares.com.