Buckner promotes reading at local elementary school.
By: Brian Feldt


If the students at Coyote Ridge Elementary haven’t yet grasped the importance to read and write, Greg Buckner took the liberty of educating them.





See pictures from the event!













Buckner, the Mavs’ 6-foot-4-inch forward/guard, was on-hand at the Carrollton-area grade school Thursday morning, as part of his “Buck”ets of Books program, which is designed to inspire kids to read more often.

In front of nearly 80 second grade students, Buckner read a book pertaining to the life and trials of Rosa Parks in honor of Black History Month, which lasts through the entire month of February.

Buckner used Parks’ determination and positive attitude as means to translate a message of hard work and morals that will be necessary for the future success of the Coyote Ridge students.

After finishing the book, Buckner told a story of his own – reminiscing of inner-city teenagers he had met before who had not yet learned the ability to read or write correctly. After asking his audience if they knew how to read or write yet, all of which responded yes, Buckner stressed the importance of being able to converse with others, including their elders.

“Imagine not being able to communicate with adults or other kids your age,” Buckner said. “That is why you have to listen to your teachers and parents and why you need to keep reading and learning.”

After the reading, Buckner fielded questions from the students before signing autographs and eventually leaving to a satisfied crowd.

As part of the Greg Buckner Foundation, “Buck”ets of Books will host a reading and learning hour at one school each month during the school year to help promote a passion in reading – Thursday’s trip to Coyote Ridge was the first event of the series.

Later this month, “Buck”ets of Books plans to bring the Buckner’s All-Star’s – a group of high school seniors from around the Dallas Metroplex Area who have excelled in the areas of academics, community service and extra-curricular activities – as tutors to help with the program’s success.

Wayne Watts, the director of business development for the Buckner Foundation, said the main focus of the program is spending quality time with young children and reading with them in order to encourage reading on their own.

“We try to instill a level of reading at an early age in kids,” Watts said. “We let them know that it is very important to read and it can still be a fun thing.” Each student was given a complimentary book for attending the event. With Buckner’s motivation, the books could be bringing reading back into an everyday habit.

More information on the Greg Buckner Foundation or the “Buck”ets of Books program can be found on the foundation’s website at www.gregbucknerfoundation.net