What: Seattle Sonics All-Star Rashard Lewis will team up with NY Knicks and Rainier Beach star Jamal Crawford to co-host a Celebrity Softball Weekend beginning on Friday night, August 19 7:30p.m. at SPORT Restaurant and Bar and culminating with a Softball Game on Saturday, August 20, 2005 from Noon to 6p.m. at the University of Washington’s Baseball Field.

Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Fred Jones, Desmond Mason and Gary Payton are scheduled to appear for the entire weekend’s activities. All proceeds from each of the events will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County.

The Boys & Girls Clubs inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. With 12 full-service Clubs, and 28 before-and after-school program sites, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, serving 18,000+ members annually.

“I learned so much at the Boys & Girls Clubs when I was growing up in Seattle and this is my way of drawing attention to all the good things they do there,” said Crawford, who attended Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club in Seattle. “When the Sonics were in New York to play the Knicks, Rashard and I were talking about partnering on a community-based project in Seattle, the idea of softball came up and we thought this would be great. Hopefully, people from throughout our region will join in our fundraising push by stopping by and attending the weekend of activities.”

Tickets for Friday night’s VIP Party & Auction at SPORT can be purchased for a tax-deductible donation of $125 per person by contacting B & G Club Delilah Obie, at 206-461-3890 x 2242. Tickets for the Softball Game can be purchased for a tax-deductible donation of $20 and $10 by contacting the B & G Club or day of game at the University of Washington’s Baseball Field.

When: Friday, August 19 @ SPORT Restaurant and Bar 7:30pm (VIP Party and Auction) and Saturday, August 20 @ UW’s Baseball Field Noon (Homerun Contest and Softball game)

Where: SPORT Restaurant and Bar, 140 4th Avenue North, Seattle 206-404-7767