Sixers GM Billy King reads Curious George to Ferguson Elementary students.

by Chris Wallace, Sixers Communications Manager

As the 2002-03 season tips off, so does the 76ers Read to Achieve program. Started in 2001, the year-round program was developed to promote the value of reading and encourage families and adults to read regularly with young children. To help bring awareness to the program, the Sixers assembled an All-Star Reading Team to take the lead as spokespeople for the initiative. The 26-member team includes 76ers players, coaches and their families, and numerous local media personalities. The All-Star Reading Team promotes reading at several Read to Achieve events sponsored by the 76ers throughout the season.

In its first full year of existence, the 76ers Read to Achieve program touched many lives throughout the Delaware Valley. In June 2002, 76ers general manager Billy King made a surprise visit to Ferguson Elementary School and he didn’t show up at the North Philadelphia school empty handed. King, along with team mascot Hip-Hop, arrived with pizza in hand to congratulate Ms. Susan Smotrys’ special education class on their successful achievement in their in-class 100 Book Reading Challenge.

“This was a special day for the students,” said Smotrys. “To have Billy King come to our classroom, read the students one of his favorite children’s books and congratulate them on their efforts really validates what they are doing. It shows that someone is watching their progress and is eager for them to succeed.”

“Their enthusiasm towards reading was very encouraging,” said King. “To see the excitement in their faces when they talked about how many books they have read was amazing. They see that reading can open doors and provide them with opportunities that they could not even imagine.”

Nationally, Read to Achieve has already created more than 30 Reading and Learning Centers, and 52 Reading Corners including local improvements in Shepard Recreation Center, Universal Charter School and Woodbine Elementary School (N.J.). In addition to the renovated facilities, over the last year, the Sixers have reached out to over 2,000 students and donated over 5,000 Scholastic Books.

The Sixers continue their effort this year with the celebration of Read to Achieve Week (Oct. 21-26), the celebration of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday (Feb. 28) and a book collection at all home Sixers games during March, national reading month.

For the last eight years, the team has also sponsored the 76ers Read for Ronald program, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. Annually during the month of February, elementary and middle school children collect pledges for each minute read during the month. In 2002 over 3,000 students from 33 schools participated and raised more than $131,000 for the PRMH. In addition to promoting reading, the program continues to support the ‘home-away-from-home’ for families with children being treated at local hospitals. 76ers Read for Ronald, which falls under the Read to Achieve program, continues to be a beneficial event for both the needy families and the children involved…kids reading to help other kids.