PORTLAND, OR —Portland Trail Blazers president and interim general manager, Steve Patterson, presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to Alan Barker, principal of Peninsula Elementary on Friday, June 30, 2006. The gift is dedicated to enhancing the north Portland school’s outdoor play area to include basketball courts. The presentation took place at a press conference hosted on the playground at the elementary school introducing three of the team’s newly acquired players from the 2006 NBA Draft.

With a corporate commitment to supporting education, the Trail Blazers have partnered with Peninsula in the past through the team’s Read to Achieve program and hosting PE classes. Recently, Trail Blazers employees volunteered, working on maintenance projects around the schools’ outdoor play area and refurbishing the basketball courts and hoops. The team’s donation will help with additional much needed enhancements to include new equipment for the year-round school.

Patterson, along with head coach Nate McMillan, introduced team members LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy and Joel Freeland to the media and the community at the press conference. The young players were presented their team jerseys by Peninsula students and participated in one-on-one interviews with select fifth graders. The students’ interviews will be posted on trailblazers.com.

“For many years the Portland Trail Blazers have supported Portland public schools. Our partnership with Peninsula is a pleasure and a priority for our staff and team,” said Steve Patterson. “These three gentlemen will not only compliment our roster, but be a tremendous asset to this community. They all exhibit the blend of character and talent we're looking for in Portland Trail Blazers. By bringing them here today we introduce them not only to the fans, but to the needs of the community from the start of their association with this great city.”