11/19/07: Press Release - Best Western International Drives Literacy With Bookmobile
10/31/07: Read to Achieve

Photogallery

Hugo reading inside the Hornets Bookmobile.

In 2000, the National Basketball Association launched a unique community initiative to combat global illiteracy and develop a lifelong love for reading among young people. The program titled “Read to Achieve” now extends to all 30 teams in the league and reaches over 50 million children each year. The New Orleans Hornets have made it a continuing effort to incorporate the Read to Achieve program into its own community outreach initiatives.

As part of the Hornets’ goal to promote the value of reading and encourage adults to read regularly to children, the team created the Bookmobile-- a larger-than-life teal bus that aims to get children excited about reading. What used to be just a typical yellow school bus is now a traveling library that houses over 2,000 children’s books. From picture books to action adventures, there is a book onboard for every child.

Today, the Hornets Bookmobile travels year-round to schools and community-based organizations distributing free books to elementary-aged children. During the NBA’s 2006-2007 season, the Hornets Bookmobile passed out over 20,000 books to area youth. During this upcoming season, the Bookmobile is anticipated to surpass that benchmark and exceed 30,000 books for children. In the years since the Hornets launched the team’s library-on-wheels, the Bookmobile has become much more than a vehicle for book donations. It has been a visible statement that the Hornets don’t just play basketball- they ensure long-term educational successes in our community.

Best Western also believes in the opportunity to change young people’s lives, especially those in the Gulf South region affected by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, through education and reading. Corporate visits to the Gulf South shortly after Hurricane Katrina prompted Best Western to take action in the Hornets’ initiative by sponsoring the Bookmobile. Best Western understands the importance of children opening a book and escaping into an imaginary and creative world simply by reading the words on the page. Children are the future. Together Best Western and the Hornets have partnered to ensure educational success within the Gulf South region.

The New Orleans Hornets and Best Western would like to thank Scholastic for their tremendous efforts in making the Book Mobile a great success.

To inquire about hosting the Hornets’ Bookmobile at your school, contact Whitney Mitchell at (504) 593-4863 or at whitney.mitchell@hornets.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BOOKMOBILE APPLICATION FORM