76ers Read To Achieve

The 76ers Read To Achieve program, presented by Pepsi, consists of a variety of events including player appearances, school visits, book drives, and the establishment of reading corners and learning centers. Throughout the season Hip-Hop and front office staff visit schools and libraries reaching out to more than 15,000 kids and donating over 5,000 books.

The NBA’s Read to Achieve program encourages young people to develop a life-long love for reading and reaches 50 million children a year. The program includes the annual donation of more than 250,000 books through a variety of reading events and book fairs. Through the Read to Achieve program, the league has created more than 100 Reading and Learning Centers worldwide in an effort to provide access to reading materials and technology to young people everywhere.

The NBA Read To Achieve program promotes the value of reading, online literacy, and also encourages families and adults to read regularly with young people.

As a part of 76ers Read to Achieve Month, the Philadelphia 76ers held a “Reading Event” on March 3, 2011, at the Sixers’ practice facility PCOM, for 60 students from the Watoto after School Care program.

Special appearances were made by Hip-Hop, Thaddeus Young, Craig Brackins, Spencer Hawes, Lou Williams, Darius Songalia, and Andre Iguodala, who led the students through the reading activities.

The students took part in two activities; one being a bookmark station and the other a Spelling Bee Challenge where the students were challenged to spell different age appropriate vocabulary words, with the players acting as team captains. The students also got to enjoy a special reading of Hip-Hops’ favorite book, “Bunny’s Noisy Book”, read by Andre Iguodala.

At the conclusion of the event, the students received give-a-ways that included Hip-Hop trading cards and NBA Cares pencil packs.