Detroit Pistons players Mikki Moore and Rodney White along with members of the Detroit Pistons and IBM staffs will clean and paint an 850 square foot out-dated library room Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 3 p.m. The renovation kicks off the building's transformation into The Pistons Reading and Learning Center at the PAL (Police Athletic League) St. James Activity Center in Detroit. It’s all part of the Detroit Pistons Read To Achieve community literacy initiative. Moore and White will be available for interviews as they paint.

The renovation plans will transform the 850 square foot lower level area into a comfortable and inviting reading and learning center. The plans include 10 new computers to be donated by IBM, new flooring, lighting, computer desks, age appropriate tables and chairs, futons, bookcases, a fish tank, plants, a blackboard, educational posters, maps and wall art, a globe, stuffed animals and toys, Pistons bean bag chairs and a Pistons backboard. The grand opening of the remodeled Reading and Learning Center will be in April 2002 (date to be determined).

The Detroit Pistons Read To Achieve program was chosen by the NBA and IBM to receive a donation of 10 computers and Internet access for the center. IBM will also coordinate training of students and staff on computer literacy. Other sponsors of The Detroit Pistons Read To Achieve program include Coca Cola, Nike, and Ticketmaster.

The St. James PAL Activity Center serves over 500 Detroit children from ages 6 to 18 in after school and weekend activities including basketball, arts and crafts, martial arts, tutoring, and youth advising. The center is also home to basketball leagues and parenting workshops for members of the Detroit community. For information about the center, Sgt. Stevan Miller of the PAL St. James Center can be reached at (313) 596-1091.

Companies or individuals willing to donate youth furniture, carpet or flooring, lighting, fish tanks or installation assistance should call Hilary Eisen of the Detroit Pistons Community Relations Department at (248) 377-8248.

St. James PAL Activity Center is located at 8085 Doyle, Detroit, Michigan. (3 blocks south of McNichols and east of Van Dyke, behind the St. James Church)