Photo
gallery: Follow along as Quianna Chaney and other WNBA players participate
in WNBA Cares events. (Photo: Randy Belice/NBAE/Getty Images) WNBA
Cares in New Orleans
The WNBA is deeply committed to
WNBA CARES programs that improve the quality of life for all people,
with a special emphasis on promoting health and fitness, breast health awareness,
reading and youth basketball programs.
As we look forward to the 12th season
of the WNBA, the league and its players continue to be recognized for their
commitment to the community.
Read to Achieve is a year-round, league-wide initiative supported by NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League teams that promotes the values of reading and on-line literacy and encourages families and adults to read regularly with young children. The program includes thousands of reading time-outs, the donation of books and literacy materials, and the creation of Reading and Learning Centers and Reading Corners throughout the world.
National and local All-Star Reading Teams have been formed consisting of current and former NBA and WNBA players and other members of the NBA and WNBA family, who promote reading efforts through in-arena events, public service announcements and school and community appearances throughout the year.
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA believes that lessons learned on- and off-the-court as a member of a team are lessons that are infinitely useful in building relationships at school, home and work. By stressing fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and positive adult participation, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA aims to develop a life-long passion for the game of basketball by providing a support structure that not only encourages participation, but also makes the game fun and rewarding for players, coaches, officials and parents.
BREAST HEALTH AWARENESS
See your team's community involvement!
The WNBA Breast Health Awareness program focuses on generating awareness and educating women about breast cancer in addition to raising funds for the initiative.
More than $2 million was raised by the WNBA, its players and teams to help fight breast cancer through Breast Health Awareness program. Highlights include online auctions featuring games of HORSE with WNBA and NBA Stars, memorabilia and other autographed items.
The WNBA and the American Heart Association have formed an alliance to promote the Go Red for Women campaign. GRFW encourages women to learn more about heart health, and raises awareness of the risks of heart disease in women.
WNBA FIT
The WNBA will embrace its responsibility as the preeminent women’s professional sports league with powerful role models to continue to deliver important messages and programs related to the areas of health, fitness, nutrition and self esteem.
WNBA Fit will encourage teens and women of all ages to learn more about their bodies and the importance of physical fitness. Programming has been developed to encourage teens and women to get started on “being fit” through small changes in their daily regimen.
NOTHING BUT NETS
WNBA Cares has partnered with the United Nations Foundation on their new initiative, Nothing But Nets, a grassroots campaign asking individuals to donate $10 to "send a net, save a life."
Each $10 donation pays for an insecticide-treated bed net, distributes it to a family in need in Africa and provides education on proper use to prevent malaria. Please visit nothingbutnets.net to find out how you can send a net to save a life!
Dream guard Ivory Latta reads to Tampa-area children at a WNBA Cares event prior to the 2008 WNBA Draft. (Ray Amati/NBAE/Getty Images)
WNBA CARES SPOTLIGHT
Toyota, WNBA Announce New Initiative Toyota Project Rebound will tie together the community efforts of the league through WNBA Cares, along with the efforts of the WNBA teams into a national program with the support of a single corporate partner in Toyota. The community rebuilding projects, include court refurbishments, the creation of Learning & Play Centers, and other Legacy Projects and will take place during the 2008 WNBA season.
Fast Break to Reading
The WNBA and Pitney Bowes have teamed up to support literacy and education in our local communities. The Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics are participating in the season-long initiative to raise funds for local, community-based literacy programs. Fans who participate in the program will receive:
Seating in a special section at designated home games
An opportunity to read with WNBA players
Fast Break to Reading premium items
At the end of the season, Pitney Bowes and the WNBA will renovate a Reading and Learning Center in the community of the team that raises the most funds for literacy.
Shoot for Hope Shoot for Hope is a collaboratively developed program between Southwest Airlines and the WNBA that gives deserving families who have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House and experienced challenging obstacles a chance to receive a special WNBA experience to inspire hope and support.
Dawn Staley Community Assist Award
The Dawn Staley Leadership Award was created to honor the WNBA Player who best exemplifies the characteristics of a leader in the community in which she works or lives. The award will reflect Dawn Staley’s contagious leadership, spirit, charitable efforts and love for the game.
'I Am Powerful'
The Washington Mystics and CARE explain how realizing their own potential can help to empower girls and women in less fortunate situations around the world.
Liberty and Girls Inc.
The New York Liberty is proud to announce our new partnership with Girls Incorporated of New York City and their participation in the WNBA Court of Dreams program.
In the Community at NBA All-Star
The WNBA and its players helped give back to fans and the New Orleans community throughout NBA All-Star with week-long WNBA Cares activities.
Sacramento wins Court of Dreams
The Sacramento area Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs and YMCA teamed up to win an official WNBA basketball court for the Sacramento community by taking first place in last season’s WNBA Court of Dreams ticket sales contest.
The Mystics Foundation
The Washington Mystics spend endless amounts of time working at getting themselves in the best shape possible to play basketball. Now they’re starting a program that will teach young children about the importance of getting and staying in shape.
WNBA
Cares in New Orleans 
The WNBA is deeply committed to
WNBA CARES programs that improve the quality of life for all people,
with a special emphasis on promoting health and fitness, breast health awareness,
reading and youth basketball programs. 
Read to Achieve is a year-round, league-wide initiative supported by NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League teams that promotes the values of reading and on-line literacy and encourages families and adults to read regularly with young children. The program includes thousands of reading time-outs, the donation of books and literacy materials, and the creation of Reading and Learning Centers and Reading Corners throughout the world. 
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA believes that lessons learned on- and off-the-court as a member of a team are lessons that are infinitely useful in building relationships at school, home and work. By stressing fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and positive adult participation, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA aims to develop a life-long passion for the game of basketball by providing a support structure that not only encourages participation, but also makes the game fun and rewarding for players, coaches, officials and parents.
The WNBA Breast Health Awareness program focuses on generating awareness and educating women about breast cancer in addition to raising funds for the initiative.
The WNBA and the American Heart Association have formed an alliance to promote the Go Red for Women campaign. GRFW encourages women to learn more about heart health, and raises awareness of the risks of heart disease in women.
Each $10 donation pays for an insecticide-treated bed net, distributes it to a family in need in Africa and provides education on proper use to prevent malaria. Please visit nothingbutnets.net to find out how you can send a net to save a life! 
Toyota, WNBA Announce New Initiative
Fast Break to Reading