featured-image

Detroit School Wins a Renovated Library as Part of Detroit Pistons Reading Room Makeover Contest

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons announced today that Carver S.T.E.M. Academy in Detroit is the winner of a new library as a part of the “Reading Room Makeover” contest presented by Farm Bureau Insurance.

The newly renovated library at Carver S.T.E.M. on Detroit’s west side will be unveiled during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 25 with Pistons personalities present. Farm Bureau Insurance representatives along with Pistons Legend Earl Cureton and Palace employees will kick-off the 6-week renovation in a day of service on August 13.

“We congratulate the students and faculty at Carver S.T.E.M. Academy,” said Dennis Mannion, CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons. “It is essential to have a functional library that promotes learning and literacy and we’re thrilled to partner with Farm Bureau Insurance to give this worthy school an upgrade to its learning facility.”

Twenty schools from across the state of Michigan submitted applications including images of their school’s library to be considered in the selection process. Palace Sports & Entertainment and Farm Bureau Insurance representatives then narrowed the applicants, visited the finalist’s sites and selected Carver as the winner.

“Farm Bureau Insurance finds it tremendously rewarding when we have a chance to partner with and support leadership teams like those we found at Carver S.T.E.M. We know that the work that goes into this year’s school makeover will be sustained,” said Vic Verchereau, Farm Bureau Insurance Vice President of Marketing. “The teachers at this deserving school rally behind their community and more importantly behind their students. Their enthusiasm and dedication is what will make this makeover a true success. We are excited to bring a team of agents and staff down to the school to kick-off the makeover and deliver these teachers and students a beautiful reading center.”

The Detroit Pistons have renovated 30 facilities as part of the NBA’s Live, Learn and Play Program at schools, shelters, and hospitals in Michigan to date. The Carver S.T.E.M. Academy library – with new paint, carpet, furniture and themed graphics and decorations including a basketball themed reading area – will be the 31st facility renovated through the program.

# # #

About Live, Learn or Play: The NBA’s commitment to youth and family development is highlighted by the creation of Live, Learn and Play spaces. These new and refurbished basketball courts, libraries, playgrounds, homes, fitness facilities and technology rooms are created in conjunction with NBA league and team community and business partners. Upon completion of each project, NBA family members officially dedicate the project by participating in educational activities and games with the local community. These spaces provide the critical resources that pave the way for children’s future success. Since October 2005, there have been more than 525 of these places created in more than 22 countries.

About Farm Bureau Insurance: Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan was founded in 1949 by Michigan farmers who wanted an insurance company that worked as hard as they did. Those values still guide the company today and are a big reason why they are known as Michigan’s Insurance Company, dedicated to protecting the farms, families, and businesses of this great state. Farm Bureau Insurance agents across Michigan provide a full range of insurance services—life, home, auto, farm, business, retirement, Lake Estate®, and more—protecting nearly 500,000 Michigan policyholders.