Click Here to Download the 2008-09 Read to Achieve Response Form

The Los Angeles Lakers READ TO ACHIEVE campaign enjoys continued success as the organization and its players focus their efforts on literacy and instilling in Los Angeles youth the joy of reading. The four main components of the program are the annual reading challenge, book drives, L.A.K.E.R. (Los Angeles Kids Enjoy Reading) Time Outs, and the development of Lakers Reading and Learning Centers throughout Los Angeles and Hawaii.

Now in its eighth year, the Annual Lakers Reading Challenge is open to local elementary schools and has encouraged over 130,000 students to read for Laker prizes and tickets. All participants receive a Lakers reading folder and bookmark and are asked to read six chapter books in a six week period. Students who complete the challenge receive a prize, a certificate of completion and are entered into a drawing to win two tickets to a Lakers game. Classrooms with a 100% completion rate are eligible to win Grand Prizes such as an ice cream party with Laker players, game tickets for the entire classroom or a pep rally at their school.

During the 2007-08 season, the Los Angeles Lakers held our annual book drive to collect books for the Lakers Reading and Learning Centers throughout the city. Collected books were donated in memory of Chick Hearn and over the past three seasons, Laker fans have generously donated over 5,000 books to support literacy.

Each year, the Los Angeles Lakers also send members of the Lakers All-Star Reading Team out into the community to conduct L.A.K.E.R. (Los Angeles Kids Enjoy Reading) Time Outs. The focus of the read aloud program is to encourage children to be excited about books and to develop a life-long love for reading. The All-Star Reading Team is comprised of players, coaches, the Laker Girls, spouses and parents of players, former Lakers and local celebrities.

Since 2002, the Lakers have created or renovated twelve Lakers Reading Rooms or Lakers Learning Centers throughout Los Angeles and Honolulu, Hawaii. Each site was remodeled with new carpet, new paint, framed Lakers photos, bookshelves, tables, chairs, sofas and new children’s books, offering children a safe and fun learning environment dedicated to literacy.

READ TO ACHIEVE PLEDGE
Reading is fun and
books are cool too.
I will read a book daily
to learn something new.

I will learn different words
and I will listen in school,
when teachers read stories
and share reading rules.

I will practice my skills
in every way,
reading is something
I will do everyday.

Reading will offer
great adventures to me,
reading will help me be
the best I can be.