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Ray Allen Earns the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for January


Ray Allen has been honored with the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for January. He’s being recognized for his outstanding efforts in support of U.S. soldiers overseas and his commitment to supporting community-based programs for local youth and families. For those of you familiar with Ray’s philanthropic bent it will come as no surprise that he is receiving this honor.

Here’s more from the NBA’s press release about the award:

Allen tipped off the month by taking time to chat via video link to members of the 3rd Battalion 126 Aviation Regiment Unit currently stationed in Kuwait. Having come from a military family, Allen appreciates the sacrifices made by U.S. soldiers and spent the time thanking the men and women for their bravery and answering their questions. Later in the month Allen provided 20 tickets to active-duty military soldiers and their families through the Celtics Seats for Soldiers program. Prior to tip-off, Ray came out and met with 100 military soldiers and their families.

Allen also took time in January to join Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick for Project 351, a day that was focused on Massachusetts’ commitment toward the next generation of leaders, role models, and learners. Each city and town in Massachusetts selected one eighth grader that spent a day of service joined by the governor and Ray Allen. Ray worked with eighth graders from across the state to pack apples and gift bags for the elderly. In addition, he spent time speaking to the youth and encouraging them to remain dedicated to their goals. Allen also filmed a PSA for Project 351 and purchased tickets for a Celtics game for the children and their mentors.

“It’s crucial to support today’s youth because they are the next generation of leaders,” said Allen. “Building technology labs and just taking the time to speak with them goes a long way. I had a lot of people that helped me growing up and I want to do the same for our youth today.”

In an effort to educate fans about some of the extraordinary African-American leaders, Allen also recently taped multiple vignettes in which he talked about Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Harriet Tubman, and W.E.B. Dubois, among others. The vignettes are airing in arena throughout February. In January, The Ray of Hope Foundation announced that it would create a new computer lab in a local Boston community center. Earlier this season, Allen participated in the creation of the Raytheon computer lab in a Boston school and saw the impact it had on the students.

As an NBA Cares Community Assist Award recipient, Allen will receive the David Robinson Plaque with the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.” In addition, the NBA will donate $5,000 to the charitable foundation of his choice.

The league presents the NBA Cares Community Assist Award monthly throughout the season and once following each offseason to recognize players for their year-round charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.

If you’re interested in supporting Ray’s charitable efforts through volunteering or by donating to the Ray of Hope Foundation, navigate over to the Ask Ray page and write a message, check the Activist page for more about the foundation or just leave your well wishes below in the comments.

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Comments

3 Responses to Ray Allen Earns the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for January

  1. Jeanne Foster, Tobin School in Boston says:

    Dear Ray,

    Our new computer lab is wonderful!!! My third graders flipped over the life-sized murals of you and the Celtics scenes around the room. Within minutes, several of my students were videotaping themselves rapping and singing songs! I’m going to spend some time checking out these new computers and the programs on them. Thank you sooo much for your generosity, and for investing in the future success of our Tobin Students in Roxbury, MA. The students and I will be sending you letters very soon.

    Also, the game against New York was sooo exciting, just like the last game of a series. You were the hero of that game! God’s blessing you already, and once again.
    Wishing you continued success, Ray!
    From Mrs. Foster and Students at the Maurice Tobin School

  2. shirley says:

    i’m a huge Allen fan..his humility makes me love him more..he’s one of the best 3-point shooters in this league and not only that, he continues to work on something worthwhile, supporting charitable works. i wish him even more success and hopefully the team’s championship this season. he deserves his title, he is such a good man..i wish i could see him one day..and i am looking forward to getting another woman’s #20 jersey..i will try to write something about him on my website…? ? ? for Allen~

  3. Jess says:

    I love him so much! Ray should blog on this website so that us fans can hear from him personally!!

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