NBA Cares Logo
“NBA Cares is the leagues social responsibility program that builds on the NBA’s long tradition of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world (Nothing But Nets).” Founded in 2005, NBA Cares partnered with youth programs who strive to educate the youth, while addressing public health issues and focusing on family development. upon founding NBA Cares the organization set three main goals to be achieved by 2010. These goals included contributing $400 million to charity, donating more than 1 million hours of hands on community service around the world, and building more than 250 facilities that will help to shelter, educate, and contribute to the overall happiness of families (United Nations Foundation). NBA Cares has not only set goals but more than fulfilled them. “Since October 2005 when NBA Cares was launched, the league and teams have raised more than $270 million for charity, provided more than 3.5 million hours of hands-on community service, and built more than 995 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play in communities around the world (NBA Cares).” NBA Cares works with internationally recognized charities and organizations such as UNICEF, Reading is Fundamental, Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Club of American, Charities Aid Foundation, and Feed the Children (Nothing but Nets). NBA Cares has worked to raise awareness and put an end to issues such as malaria and childhood obesity.
NBA superstars talks and inspires everyone about basketball and caring for others.
NBA Cares partnered with the United Nations Foundation in order to raise awareness about malaria internationally and allow fans to be hands on against the fight to end the spread the deadly disease. “April 25th, 2008, marked the first World Malaria Day (NBA).” During the week which ended with World Malaria Day on April 25th hosted and participated i events in order to raise awareness about malaria, a deadly disease caused by a parasite and transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. On World Malaria Day 2014 the NBA challenged fans to show off their athleticism through the month of April by participating in a sport challenge, sponsored y one of their partner organizations, Nothing but Nets. For every ten dollars donated or raised a protective bed net, used to keep bugs out of sleeping areas, is sent to a family in a counter plagued by malaria.
NBA Live Healthy Week Logo
NBA FIT promotes the importance of living a healthy lifestyle by being active, healthy eating, and playing together (NBA). “In September, the NBA announced a goal to reach 500,00 New York City youth through fun, fitness related basketball activities as part of NBA All-Star community efforts (NBA).” In January 2015 NBA FIT launched Live Healthy Week presented by Kaiser Permanente, which encourages fans to join in on the movement through games, music, mascot shows, and Scream Team performances (NBA). During the week fans are surrounded by all things health and fitness not only are health tips displayed on the mega-tron during the fame but actual wellness and nutritional advisers are present at the game in order to interact with and give fans advice about healthy living on the premises. The NBA strives to promote living a healthy lifestyle by making being active an exercising more fun and less strenuous, encouraging fans to be hands on in the campaign. Fans are invited to participate in contest, such as free throw shooting competitions for prizes during and after pro basketball games. “NBA FIT Live Healthy Week features all NBA and NBA D-League teams and players joining community members and partners to highlight the importance of living an active healthy lifestyle though grassroots programs and events, broadcast and digital ads, retail activation, special on court apparel, and in arena and online programming (NBA).” Social media is an important platform for the NBA FIT initiative, teams use their websites and social media accounts to promote by posting health facts and wellness tips in order to keep fans informed and involved.
Whether you pledge to drink more water, swap your snack for a healthier alternative or commit to work out like the pros, NBA FIT and Kaiser Permanente are helping empower fans with health-related content and opportunities to “Be Active, Eat Healthy and Play Together”!
The NBA uses a very hands-on approach to the social causes that they support, inviting fans not only to donate their money but to be apart of the initiative by donating their time in the form of community service projects and just getting out and being active. NBA Cares raises money for the causes they support by hosting basketball games, fund raising at the NBA store, online donations, partnership with similar organizations, as well as donations from NBA players and other league personnel. The NBA and NBA cares continues to be dedicated to bettering communities around the world and empowering the youth. “This season as part of the 10th anniversary of its creation, NBA Cares is renewing its commitment to communities around the world by inspiring play and teaching basketball’s values to more than 15 million youth, providing an additional 3 million hours of service to others, and leaving a lasting legacy in communities by building 1,000 more safe places to live, learn, or play by 2025 (NBA Cares).”
References
http://www.nothingbutnets.net/partners/nba-cares.html
http://cares.nba.com/mission/http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/nba-fit-week-150120
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