AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Feb. 21 - The Detroit Pistons and Darakjian Jewelers are teaming up to kick-off the “March is Reading Month” Read to Achieve Book Drive by hosting a special Reading Time-out with 60 children from Leonhard Elementary at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23rd at Darakjian’s in Southfield. Former Pistons player and current Shock Assistant Coach Rick Mahorn will join Automotion dance team members to read stories about jewels, help students learn about the jewelry process, and share with the children the importance of reading.

“The Read to Achieve program is a great way for people like myself to share with kids how important reading is to me,” said Rick Mahorn, Pistons Legend and Shock Assistant Coach. “This book drive will give children the power of reading and will provide them the resources they need. I encourage everyone to join me in donating a book and to give the gift of reading to others.”

Individuals who donate books suitable for Kindergarten through 12th grade readers will receive a discount voucher to the Pistons vs. Washington Wizards game on April 6th ($38 discounted to $25) and a buy one get one free voucher for any 2005 Detroit Shock home game (valid on $25, $21 and $16 lower level tickets). These vouchers can be obtained by donating a book at any of the following sponsor locations: Belle Tire locations, Bowling Centers Association of Southeastern Michigan locations, Cranbrook Institute of Science, General Mills available at Farmer Jack locations, Hoop City Grille, Rock Financial, and Darakjian Jewelers.

Fans donating books at any of the Pistons home games during March will receive the Pistons and Shock vouchers along with a complimentary “Share the Dream” Pistons bracelet provided by Rock Financial. In-arena collections will take place at The Palace’s West Atrium entrance.

Pistons March Home Games:
Wed, March 9 vs. Golden State Warriors, 7:30 p.m.	Sat, March 25 vs. Indiana Pacers, 8:00 p.m.
Sun, March 13 vs. Utah Jazz, 6:00 p.m.	Sat, March 26 vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Wed, March 16 vs. Seattle Supersonics, 7:30 p.m.	Mon, March 28 vs. Dallas Mavericks, 7:30 p.m.
Fri, March 18 vs. Toronto Raptors, 8:00 p.m.	Wed, March 30 vs. Sacramento Kings, 7:30 p.m.
Sun, March 20 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 3:30 p.m.

The month-long book drive is part of the Pistons’ Read to Achieve community literacy initiative, which has collected and distributed over 85,000 books during its first three years. This season, the Pistons hope to collect over 40,000 books, which will be donated to the Pistons Read to Achieve Reading and Learning Center renovation project, Detroit, Pontiac, Flint, Avondale, and Livonia public school districts, as well as several metro-Detroit literacy centers and non-profit organizations.

Read to Achieve is designed to promote reading and literacy to children and families in Michigan and has been recognized as one of the top programs in the NBA. The goal is to instill a life-long love of reading in young people, and to provide greater access to books and technology in our community. The Detroit Pistons launched Read to Achieve in October 2001 and now have over 140 adult “All-Star” Reading Team members. Detroit Pistons players and staff have devoted their time to share the love of reading with over 10,000 students at Read to Achieve events throughout southeastern Michigan, touching over 115,000 youth with this program. The Pistons have also given the students a gift of books to take home. Other Read to Achieve programs include reading timeouts, a reading and learning center renovation, a reading incentive program and an essay contest. Read to Achieve corporate sponsors include: Sprite, General Mills available at Farmer Jack, Ticketmaster, Rock Financial, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Belle Tire, Bowling Centers Association of Southeastern Michigan, Darakjian Jewelers and Absopure. For more information on Read to Achieve, please contact the Pistons Community Relations Department at (248)-377-8637.