(Auburn Hills, MI) Demonstrating a company-wide commitment to volunteerism, more than 100 Palace Sports & Entertainment employees will read to 600 underprivileged children during a two-day “Reading Time-Out” at youth centers throughout the Detroit metropolitan area on Tuesday July 30, and Wednesday July 31, 2002. Volunteers will read aloud about various careers and answer questions about their professions in the world of sports and entertainment (ranging from chefs to graphic designers to marketing executives). It’s all part of the Detroit Pistons Read To Achieve initiative.

Pistons player Michael Curry will participate via the Internet in an online chat with youths at the Detroit Pistons Reading and Learning Center at the PAL St. James Activity Center in Detroit on July 30, at 11:15am. Volunteers will assist the youngsters at computers the Pistons donated to the PAL center earlier this year as part of the creation of the Detroit Pistons Reading and Learning Center. The chat will be an exciting and educational opportunity for the young people to become familiar with online technology while communicating directly with an NBA player.

TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2002 READING TIME-OUT SCHEDULE
Location	Date	Time
Police Athletic League Detroit Pistons Reading and Learning Center St. James Activity Center 8085 Doyle, Detroit, Michigan (313) 365-4717	July 30	11am-Noon
Pike St. Boys & Girls Club 530 E. Pike St. Pontiac, MI 48342 (248) 334-1260	July 30	1pm-2pm
Wertz Boys & Girls Club 14975 21 Mile Rd. Shelby Township, MI 48315 (586) 566-5516	July 30	2pm-3pm
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2002 READING TIME-OUT SCHEDULE
Location	Date	Time
Police Athletic League Detroit Pistons Reading and Learning Center St. James Activity Center 8085 Doyle, Detroit, Michigan (313) 365-4717	July 31	11am-Noon
Columbia Boys & Girls Club 124 W. Columbia Ave. Pontiac, MI 48340 (248) 338-4775	July 31	1pm-2pm
Wilson Boys & Girls Club 220 S. Squirrel Rd. Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (248) 852-1336	July 31	2pm-3pm

More than one third of all PS&E employees from every department will participate in one of the six “Reading Time-Outs,” led by the executive staff including PS&E Chief Operating Officer Alan Ostfield, Pistons Executive Vice Presidents John Ciszewski and Dan Hauser, PS&E Vice President of Human Resources Michelle Foley, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Michael Kassa, and Vice President of Brand Management Craig Turnbull. Each of the hour-long sessions will feature reading stations where volunteers will read aloud in teams of two to small groups of youngsters who will also receive a gift of books and a t-shirt to take home.

“We understand the need and importance of a well-rounded education and feel that promoting reading literacy is a crucial step in guiding the learning process,” said Jessica Guyor, Vice President of Community Relations. “The Reading Time-Out” event is a tremendous avenue for displaying good corporate citizenship and encouraging volunteerism with staff.”

Read To Achieve promotes reading and literacy to children and families in Michigan through programs and activities geared to instill a life-long love of reading in young people. The need is great, as forty seven percent of adults in Detroit, and fifteen percent of all adults in Wayne, Macomb and Oakland Counties combined, are functionally illiterate. The Detroit Pistons organization, joined by the entire PS&E community encourage children to read for fun, and adults to read with their children. Read To Achieve programs are designed to provide greater access to books and technology in our community to combat illiteracy.

Palace Sports & Entertainment community relations department is committed to building positive relationships in southeastern Michigan in order to promote philanthropic growth. Its goal is to make a difference in the lives of youth and families through programs and activities that promote respect, teamwork, excellence and integrity. The department also directs The Pistons-Palace Foundation, the organization's charitable vehicle that has donated more than $15 million to various Michigan non-profit organizations since 1989. The Foundation awards grants to organizations that offer programs that address issues of athletics, health & fitness, culture & arts, education, and personal & professional development.