It was a day of dancing, laughing, smiling and cheering — and a little bit of hoops too.

Following a special presentation of the Community Cup donation, Gavin Maloof and Sacramento Kings players treated the students of George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science to a Kings Read to Achieve Celebration complete with reading, inspirational poetry, photos and basketball stations.

It was a day to celebrate the Maloof family’s donation of $100,000 to the Capital Unity Council as part of the 10th Annual George J. Maloof Sr. Community Cup.

“I can think of no better way of honoring our father and the people of Sacramento than by participating in this remarkable project,” said Gavin Maloof, co-owner of Maloof Sports & Entertainment.

Committed to investing in the future of California’s youth, the Capital Unity Council resolved to create a center that would be a catalyst for uniting diverse people. Envisioned as a statewide resource, a gathering place and an interactive learning experience, the Council’s California Unity Center will engage youth and visitors with programs and activities that embrace inclusion, honor California’s diversity and motivate people to play an active role in building unity in their communities.

“It is an honor to receive this award from the Maloof family, the Kings and the Monarchs organization, who have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to the core values of the Capital Unity Council — inclusion, celebrating diversity and building community,” said Dennis Mangers, Chair of the Board of the Capital Unity Council.

“I think it’s important that the community understands about diversity. To treat people like you want to be treated,” said Maloof.

Introduced in 1999, the George J. Maloof Sr. Community Cup has resulted in more than $1 million in donations from the Maloof family to local charitable causes in the name of their father. Sports 1140 KHTK and News10 help raise awareness and additional funds to benefit the Community Cup and are proud partners of the Sacramento Kings.

“I think he’d be very proud of the causes we’ve donated to in the last 10 years,” said Maloof about his father. “Because it is important and we’d like to see other corporate citizens give as well.”