Steve Nash Builds Community Center in Uganda

NBA star Steve Nash and the City of Victoria are teaming up to build a culture, art and sports and reconciliation center in northern Uganda.

The project, led by the Victoria-based Steve Nash Foundation, will help traumatized, impoverished youth, Nash said Sunday. Construction should begin next year.

“The youths of that community have experienced absolute horrors,” said Nash, the 2005 and 2006 MVP in the National Basketball Association, speaking outside a basketball camp in Victoria. “We want to create a centre to give these youths the opportunity we’re afforded.”

The centre will provide free basketball, soccer and other sports equipment, art materials, classes and counselling.

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Alonzo Mourning Basketball Camp and Benefit

The Groove Just Got Flashier’ as NBA Champion Alonzo “Zo” Mourning announced a new partnership with NBA Champ, Dwyane Wade – a.k.a. D. Wade or ‘Flash’ on the court. The dynamic duo is teaming up to give fans and event-goers locally, as well as around the world, a new way to get their groove on with the Miccosukee Zo’s Summer Groove Introducing D. Wade (ZSG) annual event.

“Dwyane’s leadership and personal interest in helping young people develop their goals is so aligned with the core of what Alonzo Mourning Charities does,” said Mourning. “I look forward to a successful partnership with him for many years to come as his presence will lend an additional boost to ZSG and our community-centered efforts.”

ZSG, taking place July 9-13, 2008, is already Miami’s blockbuster event of the summer. The event has grown over the years to a five-day fun-filled weekend offering something for everyone – golf, comedy, concert, benefit dinner, a free block party, an all-star basketball game, and numerous after-party functions. With an expanded partnership to include Dwyane Wade, ZSG will become even more of a high-impact event with new programs and celebrity support.

“Alonzo and I share the same vision for our youth and over the years I’ve learned so much from him about the importance of using our successes and voices to positively affect change in the community in which we live,” said Wade. “I’ve had a chance to participate in many ZSG events over the years but now it’s not only even more exciting, but also very personal to me, because it’s something we are doing together: merging our goals to make a greater impact.”

Now in its 12th year, proceeds from ZSG benefit Alonzo Mourning Charities and Wade’s World Foundation. And, for the second consecutive year Miccosukee is proud to be on board as the ZSG Title Sponsor recognizing the popularity and importance this major summer event brings to South Florida. “The Tribe is pleased to be teaming up with these two NBA stars in this genuine effort which will make a positive difference in our community,” said Billy Cypress, Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.

Taking helm as ZSG Host Committee Chair this year is Jerry Powers, Publisher of Ocean Drive Magazine, who not only has the pulse of the city at his fingertips but will also lend his wealth of knowledge and expertise to bring more awareness and resources, keeping the event at the forefront of South Florida year-round. “Ocean Drive Magazine and Alonzo Mourning have always shared the philosophy of giving back to our community,” said Powers. “I support and applaud both Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade’s commitment to grow this organization.”
The new ZSG advertising campaign that was unveiled positions Mourning and Wade together showing excitement that they are bringing something new and fresh to South Florida’s most-talked about summer event. The concept of the campaign was created to introduce Wade as the newest addition to ZSG, promoted side-by-side with Mourning along with a headline that reads “This year we’re adding a little Flash,” playing off of Wade’s nickname. The campaign consists of television spots that will be seen locally as well as print advertisements that will be placed locally and nationally in an effort to not only let existing event-goers know but also draw new faces, friends, and fans who may not have participated in the past.

In addition, ZSG has launched a new travel-booking engine to make it easier for the growing fan base outside of South Florida to make their hotel arrangements and buy tickets to events. Visitors from out of town will find the new travel site for ZSG, www.ZSG.com/Travel, makes the process easy for making arrangements in one step, from hotel reservations (savings from up to 10 to 42 percent off) and booking ZSG event tickets, to airline deals (5 percent off domestic flights over event dates on AmericanAirlines into Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach International Airports), and transportation discounts (5 to 25 percent off, depending on fleet size, at Avis Rent A Car).

Check out the revamped web site at www.ZSG.com, where you can book events, such as:

CITY FURNITURE ZSG GOLF CLASSIC
July 10, 2008 - 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Doral Golf Resort & Spa, 4400 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami
($4,000 per foursome, $1,000 per spot)

PUBLIX ZSG BENEFIT DINNER
July 11, 2008 - 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Intercontinental Hotel Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza, downtown Miami
(Table of ten – Premium Seating $5,000, General Seating $3,500; Individual - Premium Seating $500, General Seating $350)

HENIEKEN ZSG COMEDY JAM & CONCERT HOSTED BY SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO
July 12, 2008 - Time TBA
Hard Rock Live, 5747 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL
(Ticket prices TBA)

ZSG BLOCK PARTY
July 13, 2008 - 1:00 PM to 6:00PM
AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd, downtown Miami
(Free to the public)

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES ZSG ALL-STAR BASKETBALL GAME
July 13, 2008 - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd., downtown Miami
(Ticket prices $15, $25, $45, and $60)

For more information visit www.ZSG.com or call 305/476-0095.

ABOUT ALONZO MOURNING CHARITIES
Alonzo Mourning Charities (AM Charities) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public fundraising foundation. Its mission is to encourage the educational development of youth by creating programs and youth enrichment centers that promote positive change in low socioeconomic communities. Since 1997, AM Charities has raised more than $6.5 million for various programs that aid in the development of children and their families. In addition to supporting numerous educational initiatives, Mourning focuses his attention to stimulating the development of youth enrichment centers. With the help of donors, Mourning opened the first center in 2003 in the historic area of Overtown, in South Florida, known as the Overtown Youth Center. For more information, visit www.AMCharities.org.

ABOUT WADE’S WORLD FOUNDATION
The Wade’s World Foundation provides support to community-based organizations that promote education, health and social skills for children in at-risk situations. Since 2003, Dwyane and his family have been dedicated to giving back to their core communities in the Chicago and South Florida areas through a variety of community outreach programs that inspire, uplift and motivate, such as the new partnership with ZSG. For more information visit www.dwyanewade.com.
www.zsg.com

Jordan Brand Funtamentals Grant Program

Jordan Brand and Nike extended the application deadline for this year’s Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program through April 15, 2008. Through Jordan Fundamentals, some of the country’s most dedicated educators will be recognized for their exceptional achievements and committed involvement in the education of today’s youth.

The Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program will award $1 million in grants for the 2008-2009 school year to assist those who teach grades 1-12 at economically disadvantaged public schools to provide the resources necessary to advance curriculum development. Since 1999, the Jordan Fundamentals program has presented more than $8 million in financial aid to public secondary school teachers where at least 50 percent of the student body population is eligible for the free or reduced lunch program.

Jordan Brand is thrilled to provide grants each year to teachers across the country with the means to enrich education in schools,” says Roman Vega, Brand Manager, Jordan Brand. “Not only are teachers able to nominate themselves online, but students are also urged to encourage their teachers to apply, as well. We are proud to support both teachers and students who want to make an improvement in their every day life and in the public school system as a whole.”

Michael Jordan XX3

All Jordan Fundamentals grant recipients epitomize the traits illustrated in the Jordan Fundamentals code by proving their worth every day. These individuals work harder than everyone else, exemplify performance, stay dedicated and live with passion.