HEAT Go “Back To School”

In an effort to help ease the nervousness of the beginning of a new school year, the Miami HEAT kicked off the 2010-11 school year by welcoming back students at Miramar Elementary on Monday morning on August 23rd.

HEAT players Patrick Beverley, Kenny Hasbrouck, and Dexter Pittman helped distribute 900 backpacks filled with school supplies to children entering the school, courtesy of Office Depot. In addition, the attending HEAT players took part in a special “Welcome Back” morning announcement to the school through closed circuit TV. Broward County Public Schools Superintendent, James Notter, was also in attendance.

The HEAT Dancers, Xtreme Team, and HEAT mascot Burnie provided entertainment. NASCAR star Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Office Depot show car was also on-site, featuring a special “Back To School” paint scheme that Stewart raced with at Chicagoland Speedway in July. The car was available for photo opportunities during the event.

Miramar Elementary is recognized as one of the highest scoring Title 1 schools in Broward County and has been an “A+” school for five consecutive years. Miramar Elementary has been able to reach these great accomplishments all while serving an underprivileged community, where more than 89% of their students receive free/reduced lunch.

Today’s Back to School event was sponsored by Office Depot and is the school supply destination for teachers, students and parents. Also co-sponsoring this event was South Florida Pediatric Homecare and COWs (Container On Wheels) mobile storage.

The Miami HEAT is proud to have ASSIST-CARD as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2010-11 season.