NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 3) Day of Service

Co-Hosting the LACY Awards

Hon. Patrick E. Tondreau won the individual award.

I co-hosted the LACY (Legal Advocates for Children and Youth) awards with Don Bleu, local 101.3 FM anchor. Don was fantastic to work with! He has been on the air and doing events for 30 years.

Don Bleu

LACY, founded in 1990 by the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, works to advance the legal rights of minors, empowering them to lead healthy and productive lives. The LACY awards celebrate the of the work done by many in the community to address the problems of youth who have no voice.

Hon. Patrick E. Tondreau won the individual award for his work in the juvenile court system. He has the unique ability to see the best in youth and help them to get on the “right” path. He told me that he loves his job so much it doesn’t feel like work!

I left the luncheon very inspired by LACY and their work in our community. I believe when people are successful, they have a duty to give back, volunteer, do what they can to build stronger communities.

WNBA Cares About Kids

I was in Phoenix for the WNBA Final — Phoenix vs. Indiana. The game was outstanding!!! Phoenix won in overtime, 120-116. The skill level and scoring ability of both teams may be the best I have ever seen, and I am not easily impressed!

I was in town for our WNBA Cares event at the Lincoln Phoenix YMCA. Toyota, the Phoenix Mercury and the WNBA partnered for a $50,000 renovation of the reading and learning center at the “Y.”

I emceed the event and my good friend and colleague NBA Legend Bob Lanier came to support the cause. He is one of the most outstanding people I have ever met!

There were about 50 kids chosen based on their good grades to be a part of the program and to be the first to use the center. I love these events because the kids can’t stop smiling!

A New Reading & Learning Center in Seattle

I was in Seattle yesterday for the dedication of a new Reading and Learning Center.

I emceed the event for the WNBA and the Seattle Storm. Sue Bird and Swin Cash were two of the Storm players who participated in the event. The Storm partnered with WNBA Cares, and Pitney Bowes sponsored the renovation of the center.

Kids from disadvantaged situations will have an opportunity to read and learn in a wonderful setting. I was blown away by the before and after photos of the center. They did so much work, painting and building to create such and incredible place for the kids.

A funny moment happened when I was introducing the VP for Pitney Bowes. As soon as I said the word “Vice-President,” one little boy yelled, “You mean OBAMA!” Absolutely hysterical! I took a deep breath and said, “well, we tried to get Obama here, but he was busy today.”

The kids were really sweet. They are our future, so I am thrilled when I can be a part of events like this.

Helping the Northern Light School

Good morning, everyone.

What a great weekend. Michael Johnson, an Olympic sprinter who's won four gold medals, and I are involved in helping raise funds for the Northern Light School in Oakland, California. The accompanying photo is from a fundraiser we took part in.

The school is privately funded, so they depend on generous donors for their survival. The kids are all from very difficult circumstances, such as no parents, or parents on drugs or who are homeless.

Northern Light provides hope and a first-class education for kids who would never have this kind of opportunity. 97% of their graduates go on to earn college degrees. The success rate is astounding!

It is my pleasure to be able to help the school in any way. Michael is a first-class gentleman who has taken his fame to make the world a better place.