NBA Cares is an extensive community outreach program that involves all members of the NBA family. Included within that family are, of course, the players, and four of the league’s All-Stars are taking part in the NBA Cares Charity Challenge, presented by State Farm.
From May 3 to May 9, fans will be able to participate in the online competition, enabling them to vote for one of the four charities being supported by these talented basketball players. Here’s a brief overview of each player’s charity:
- Carmelo Anthony and the Special Olympics — Anthony’s Denver Nuggets have been working for years with the group that helps those with intellectual disabilities, including funding an annual basketball clinic.
- Pau Gasol and UNICEF — Gasol, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and is working in Africa to help build six schools for children, incorporating sports into the schools.
- Steve Nash and Educare — The Phoenix Suns point guard is using his foundation in the hopes of building Educare centers in each state, targeting at-risk children to help them get a strong start.
- Dwyane Wade and Project Medishare — Wade of the Miami Heat wants to make sure the Haitian people are able to recover from the earthquake, with Project Medishare providing on-the-ground medical relief.
The winning player/charity team will get a donation of $10,000 to the charity, while the other three will each receive $5,000. Learn more about the competition here, then watch each player’s video and make your selection at the NBA’s Facebook page. The winner will be announced May 10.
Logo courtesy of NBA Cares.