As part of NBA Cares, the Dallas Mavericks and ABC Sports dedicated a Reading and Learning Center at Calumet Community Center on Friday, June 9th.
Mark Cuban, Mavs Players Jason Terry, Darrell Armstrong, DeSagana Diop, Josh Howard, Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall, NBA Commissioner David Sten, NBA Legends Bill Russell, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler, Spudd Webb and Bob Lanier, along with Dallas Mayor Laura Miller were in attendance to help open up the Reading and Learning Center and the Technology Room. Both rooms received a makeover and were repainted in Mavs colors.
The Dallas Reading and Learning Center will provide thousands of donated books along with resource guides, and materials to the children attending the facility each day. In addition, the Center received a donation of 12 desktop computers from RadioShack, furniture from Office Expo and paint from Glidden, as well as educational software and multi-media equipment, photos and educational posters from the NBA and ABC Sports.
Continuing a tradition that began at the 2001 NBA Finals, both the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conference Champions haved dedicated Reading and Learning Centers in their respective markets.
 NBA Legend and Celtic great Bill Russell is introduced to the crowd. Danny Bollinger/mavs.com |
 Mark Cuban... Danny Bollinger/mavs.com |
 Dallas Mayor Laura Miller... Danny Bollinger/mavs.com |
 and Jason Terry and Darrell Armstrong all addressed the kids in attendance about the impact the rooms will have on their lives. Danny Bollinger/mavs.com |
 The rooms were officially open after the ribbon cutting ceremony. Danny Bollinger/mavs.com |
 Mavs Spanish broadcaster Victor Villalba, along with rookies Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall read to a group of kids. Danny Bollinger/mavs.com |
 Jason Terry also read to a group of kids. Danny Bollinger/mavs.com |
 Josh Howard and DeSagana Diop look at the new computers the Technology room received from RadioShack. Danny Bollinger/mavs.com |
 Diop and David Stern look on as this boy navigates through the internet. Danny Bollinger/mavs.com |
