In light of the highly anticipated battles between the Lakers and the Celtics for the coveted NBA championship title, we at Brushfire thought it was only necessary to highlight the league’s helpful organization, NBA Cares. NBA Cares is the league’s global community outreach initiative targeting social issues such as education, youth and family development, and health and wellness. As a part of their mission to demonstrate leadership in social responsibility, NBA Cares extends its reach to children and families worldwide through philanthropy, hands-on service and legacy projects. Since its launch in October 2005, NBA Cares (which entails the league, its players and teams) has raised more than $140 million for charity, provided more than 1.1 million hours of service from its players, and built more than 484 places where kids and their families can live, learn, and play peacefully through communities all around our globe. The NBA’s global reach has helped to grant a unique opportunity to support community partner campaigns that are working to combat current issues that plague our international society. The league harnesses NBA Cares as its portal to address these current situations. NBA Cares has supported initiatives that address a wide array of social issues such as the promotion of literacy, the eradication of malaria, and HIV/AIDS education. Through the help of some esteemed and well-respected players such as Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, along with their teams and the league itself, NBA Cares is able to make plays that benefit society as a whole. Whether it’s Ron Artest teaching your kid to read, or Lebron James cleaning up your community, NBA Cares uses its key assets, (its players) to help make the world a better, and more equal level playing field. Have YOU helped save the world today? For more information, visit: http://www.nba.com/nba_cares/Want to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG
