There was no mistaking who was dedicating the new Reading and Learning Center in Sunnyslope on Monday. With wall-to-wall bright purple and orange colors, and a five-foot tall cut out of The Suns Gorilla, the Phoenix Suns opened a permanent educational playground at the Assistance League of Phoenix.

The Assistance League was the recipient of the 2004 Phoenix Suns Charities Playmaker Award, the largest single grant given by PSC each year. The $100,000 award helped fund the construction of the Phoenix Suns Charities Reading and Learning Center, which opened on Monday.

Several players took time out of their preparation schedule to attend the opening just days before the start of the 2004-05 NBA season.

“It’s an awesome contribution the Suns have been able to make to this community and to be able to put a community center here is incredible,” Suns guard Steve Nash said.

The Assistance League serves 3,500 low-income students per year, providing shoes, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies through their program Operation School Bell. The new Reading and Learning Center, part of the Suns and NBA’s Read to Achieve program, features new computers, books on tape, a stage area complete with blankets and pillows, and a new TV. In addition to all that, First Book Organization donated over 1,200 books to the center.

Nash agreed that the center’s new additions are top notch.

“With the amenities it has, to be able to give children clothing if they need it, allow them to have resources to read, and use computers – it’s just fantastic,” he said.

Al McCoy hosted the event, with comments from Jerry Colangelo and president of the Assistance League, Faye Berk and Susan Thomas, Chairman of the Building Expansion Committee. Following the ceremony, Suns players Nash, Joe Johnson, Steven Hunter, Maciej Lampe, along with Mercury players Diana Taurasi and Ashley Robinson all participated in activities with 20 children from Mountain View Elementary School. They all read the Read to Achieve Pledge and then took the children into their new center. The children and players proceeded to play computer games, listen to books on tape, and try on actual Suns home uniforms and Suns players’ shoes.

When Johnson was asked about his favorite part, he said, “Probably playing on the computers. I think I was having more fun than the little girl that I was helping out. That was pretty fun.

“I think it helps them out a lot. During the weekends, when kids don’t have a much to do, it gives them a place to go. They can go to the reading and learning center and they’ll always have something to do.”

The day wrapped up with Steve Nash reading The Gorilla Story with the Gorilla himself entertaining the children. In the end, each child was given a Phoenix Suns backpack full of goodies to take home – decked out in, of course, bright purple and orange colors.

The NBA Read to Achieve initiative is an important one, aimed at improving literacy for students in grades 3 through 5 and beyond. With help from the NBA, all 30 teams host Read to Achieve rallies, conduct player readings in schools, and build Reading and Learning Centers throughout the year.