DALLAS (April 3, 2002)– On April 3rd, the Dallas Mavericks teamed up with the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) to host Bedtime Stories for children affected by abuse. Evan Eschmeyer, Adrian Griffin and Johnny Newman read to children ages 5-14 during the story hour.

“The seemingly endless news stories about child abuse in Texas, and across the country, have caused us to explore ways to balance the miserable experience with a pleasant one,” said Allegra East, community services director for the Dallas Mavericks. “We blended elements of the NBA’s Read to Achieve literacy initiative with the message of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month to create a Bedtime Stories party. Reading is a positive and constructive activity that can enrich the mind and show the kids a world of unlimited possibilities and opportunities. We hope that we will be able to touch their lives in a positive way and plant a seed of hope for a better future.”

Bedtime Stories, conducted at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, featured Mavs players reading to small clusters of children, chatting with them, signing autographs, playing with Mavs Man, and providing the kids a brief respite from unhappy circumstances. Chick-fil-A provided meals for everyone in attendance.

“So many children suffer abuse at the hands of the people that they should be able to trust the most, from parents and caregivers to teachers and ministers,” said Cheryl Sutterfield, President and CEO of the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. “It is such a positive experience for the children to have members of the Dallas Mavericks interact with them as positive role models in our community.”

About Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC):
DCAC is a unique public/private partnership that combines the forces of the police, prosecutors, Child Protective Services, therapists and medical personnel to create a speedy and effective means of investigating child abuse – and helping to restore the child to physical and mental health. DCAC is an innovative approach to improve the treatment of child victims of sexual and physical abuse in Dallas County. The goal of DCAC is to minimize each child’s trauma, provide immediate and ongoing treatment and services and ensure proper investigation of cases.

Special thanks to Bedtime Stories sponsors AT&T Broadband, Body Solutions and Chick-fil-A.

Eschmeyer read to kids at DCAC April 3rd. Dawn Holgate/dallasmavericks.com

Newman talked with kids and answered questions before reading to them. Dawn Holgate/dallasmavericks.com

Griffin read Dog Tales to his group of kids. Dawn Holgate/dallasmavericks.com

DCAC workers took a quick picture with Newman, Eschmeyer and Griffin. Dawn Holgate/dallasmavericks.com