(July 19, 2005) -- The Toronto Raptors and the National Basketball Association announced Tuesday that forward Chris Bosh received the NBA Community Assist Award for the month of June.
Utilizing his own charitable foundation, the Chris Bosh Foundation, Bosh is dedicated to promoting education, social enrichment and physical fitness among young people. The foundation assists youth in pursuing their higher education by providing SAT preparation; reading, writing, math and study clinics and scholarships. The foundation also emphasizes the importance of healthy living by providing athletic camps and classes on eating healthy for life.
“Community service is very important to me and these programs help build bridges between people and creates a strong sense of accomplishment and self-respect for the young people involved,” said Bosh.
Bosh and his foundation have been particularly busy during the NBA’s Summer of Goodwill, by offering free clinics and SAT prep courses in various cities throughout the summer. During the month of June, he held a Basketball Fundamentals Camp in Dallas, and then held SAT prep courses where each student that attended received a $200 stipend for the two-week program. The foundation then held Athletic Camps at Southwestern Christian College in Dallas, and in West Palm Beach, Florida, that focused on basketball fundamentals and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“Chris represents the Toronto Raptors organization in a very reputable fashion,” expressed Raptors General Manager Rob Babcock. “His leadership off the court sets an example for other players to follow and we are very proud of his accomplishments.”
Bosh is highly active in the Raptors community development program in Toronto during the course of the NBA campaign. He also maintains a season-long ticket donation program called Bosh’s All-Stars. Each month he selects students that participate with his foundation’s initiatives, invites them to a game and provides food and beverage for them. He meets with them after the game and provides them with gift bags in salute to their volunteerism and hard work.
Bosh joins Jerome Williams of the New York Knicks (May), Derek Fisher of the Golden State Warriors (April), Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs (March), Rasheed Wallace of the Detroit Pistons (February), Marcus Camby of the Denver Nuggets (January), Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat (December) and Steven Hunter of the Phoenix Suns (November) as recent winners of the NBA Community Assist Award.
As the recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award, Bosh will receive the David Robinson Plaque with the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.” During the 2002-03 season, NBA Commissioner David Stern presented the former San Antonio Spurs star with an honorary plaque and announced that all future winners of the NBA Community Assist Award would receive the David Robinson Plaque. In addition to the plaque, a $5,000 gift will be given to the Chris Bosh Foundation.
The league gives out the NBA Community Assist Award monthly to recognize players for their charitable efforts. The award honours the NBA player who reflects the passion that the league and its players have for their communities.
Bosh, selected fourth overall by the Raptors in 2003, has averaged 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in 156 games.