Portland, OR – The Portland Trail Blazers, through a partnership with Toyota and the NBA, provided a lasting gift to the Jefferson High School community.

With an assist from a star-studded Trail Blazers contingent – including stars Brandon Roy and Travis Outlaw and team ambassadors Jerome Kersey, Chris Dudley and Dale Schlueter – the Trail Blazers and Toyota unveiled a new Community Resource Center at the school.

“We are very proud of this project,” Trail Blazers President Larry Miller said. “Toyota’s generosity has allowed us to make a long-term impact by providing school and community groups a healthy environment to gather, learn and engage in activities that impact the community in a positive way.”

The center was funded by Toyota Project Rebound, a community initiative established by Toyota and the NBA. It was designed and painted by Trail Blazers “Make It Better” volunteers, refurbished with help from Lorentz Bruun and furnished with computers, furniture and additional accessories to make the room the perfect learning center for school- and community-based organizations.

The Jefferson center is one of 15 community service initiatives being completed this season by Toyota Project Rebound in cities throughout the NBA.

“Toyota Project Rebound continues to be a program that positively impacts our community. We are especially proud that our efforts have been able to extend to multiple projects benefiting many local children and families.” said Greg Leonard, President of the Portland Metro Toyota Dealers Association.

This year marks the second consecutive year that Portland has been a beneficiary of Toyota Project Rebound funding. Last year, the project funded Reading and Learning Centers at two Albina Head Start centers.

This year’s Toyota Project Rebound initiative was chosen after Jefferson students initiated a meeting with the Trail Blazers to discuss the need for a multi-purpose room that could adequately host after-school programs.

The design of the room, inspired by a piece of student artwork, includes four blank canvasses to allow students to put the finishing touches on the room and make it their own.

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith thanked the Trail Blazers and Toyota Project Rebound for the community resource room.

“This room offers the Jefferson school community a welcoming and inspiring place to come together and share their ideas and experiences. We're grateful for our partnership with the Trail Blazers and Toyota and the work they've done on behalf students, teachers and community members.”

ABOUT TOYOTA PROJECT REBOUND Toyota Project Rebound is a community initiative established by the NBA and Toyota. The program includes 15 hands-on community service projects that will be hosted by NBA and WNBA teams, and will include court refurbishments, the creation of Learn & Play Centers, and other Legacy Projects providing youth safe places to live, learn or play. Projects have been scheduled throughout the 2008-09 season, including during major events like NBA All-Star and The Finals.