boston celtics Community Relations 2011-2012 Annual Report Tea m i n g U p for kids in the community The are proud to be part of the New England community. We believe that it’s important to make a difference in the community by utilizing the Celtics’ unique position as a way to positively influence children and impact the community beyond our performance on the court. Over the past seven decades, our community relations programs and events have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of children throughout New England.

We are committed to extending our championship legacy from the court into the community. Thanks in large part to our corporate sponsors, we are able to leverage their power and resources to increase our collective efforts in the community. Many of our initiatives would not be possible without the generosity of these partners.

Our community programs are delivered to schools, community-based organizations, hospitals, recreation centers and community groups in the greater Boston area. Each season we are dedicated to maintaining a strong tradition of positive educational programming and outreach activities that enhance the lives of children and impact the community. On behalf of the Boston Celtics players, staff and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, we thank you and look forward to your continued support.

Sincerely,

Rich Gotham Tea m i n g U p Team President Shamrock Foundation Overview

The mission of the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation is to extend the reach of the Celtics championship legacy into our community through programs that directly benefit children in need. To do this, the Foundation applies a team mentality – much like that of the 17-time world champion Celtics - and relies on key partnerships with New England-based non-profit organizations that provide vital services and support to youth. The Foundation currently partners with Berklee City Music Network, Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, Children’s Hospital Boston, Citi Performing Arts , Horizons for Homeless Children, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Perkins School for the Blind and Positive Coaching Alliance. By providing support and funding to these and other community organizations, the Foundation is able to increase its collective impact in the community and serve thousands of in-need youth every year.

Celtics CommUNITY Crew

The Celtics CommUNITY Crew in partnership with Arbella and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation aims to impact the community in positive ways. The purpose of the initiative is to provide volunteer opportunities for all members of the Celtics family, to deliver high-impact service to the neediest segments of our community, and to encourage civic engagement from all Celtics stakeholders. This season, service projects ranged from large scale site renovations at schools, community centers and other youth development facilities to smaller scale volunteer opportunities at local homeless shelters and soup kitchens. Since the first CommUNITY Crew event in September of 2011, members have dedicated over 3,000 service hours to the community. If you are interested in getting involved, please email [email protected]. STAY IN SCHOOL The 2011-12 season marked the 21st year of the Stay in School program in Boston’s public middle schools. Drawing on the premise that children are influenced by sports figures, the Stay in School program uses athletes to encourage good school attendance – a key factor in determining future scholastic success. Celtics players visited five middle schools during the academic year and delivered a special assembly program featuring the acronym PRIDE, which stands for perseverance, respect, integrity, decisions and education. The students also received various awards for perfect attendance, writing and artwork. At the end of the school year, over 1,000 students were honored for their academic accomplishments at a celebration at Northeastern University. More than 50,000 Boston students have “It’s important participated in the program since its inception. Stay in School is a to visit schools partnership among the Boston Celtics, Arbella Insurance, The Sports and talk to the Museum of New England and the Boston Public Schools. youth about education. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if I didn’t take school seriously and I hope the students learned how a great education can help them reach their goals.”

- following a middle school assembly The Read To Achieve program presented by KIA strives to have every student in the Boston Public School system reading at their grade level. To that end, the Celtics in partnership with ReadBoston have worked to meet this goal by tracking the amount of time elementary school students read each week and rewarding those who meet the requirement with a special Read To Achieve prize each month. This season students that read at least 20 hours a “Reading is an week received posters, notebooks and bracelets. As an added integral part of everyday life incentive, members of the Celtics team and organization hosted even after you’ve monthly read-aloud events at participating schools to re-emphasize completed your the importance of literacy and education. education. I have to read contracts, bills and playbooks. That’s the one thing I wanted to emphasize to the kids today. Reading is important and it’s great to see youth on the right path at such a young age.”

- CHRIS WILCOX following an event with 30 elementary students at the Sports Museum of New England READ TO ACHIEVE “You all are lucky to be healthy with two feet. Some people can’t even walk. Make sure to use all four of your limbs and stay active. Eat the right types of food and enjoy being young. Don’t waste this time in your lives on the couch. Go and hang out with your friends and play a game of , ride a bike or jump rope.”

– Rajon Rondo addressing a group of youth at a Fit To Win event F IT TO WIN

The “Fit to Win” program presented by Covidien, a leading global healthcare products company, teaches children fun and easy steps for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. By partnering together, the Boston Celtics and Covidien are able to educate children about the importance of staying active and eating well, but in a fun and interactive way. Throughout the season, various Celtics players along with Strength and Conditioning Coach Bryan Doo visited schools and community centers to encourage youth to lead a healthy lifestyle. In the two years since the program started, over 750 children have become health and wellness ambassadors for their schools and community. STEP YOUR GAME UP Step Your Game Up, the Boston Celtics newest community initiative, strives to alter the academic trajectory of the lowest achieving students in Boston Public Schools. The program challenges these students who are struggling with tardiness, absenteeism and failing grades to change their performance via personalized letters and contracts. The students who demonstrate the most improvement are given the opportunity to attend a Celtics game, a party with a player and an end of the year celebration. Top improvers are recognized for their work and presented with gifts at the year-end celebration.

2011-2012 METRICS

Of students receiving a “D” or “F” in Math and/or ELA before the start of the program, 68.9% improved to at least a “C-”. Of students that began the program with subpar attendance rates, 74.1% improved their attendance and 48.3% rose above the 90% threshold goal. For the subset of students who signed a contract stating that they would improve both grades and attendance: • 75% improved their attendance rate. • Students from this group starting with a “D” or worse raised their average GPA from 0.24 to 1.43. J r. C e l t i c s During the 2011-12 season, the Jr. Celtics program presented by Chipotle and New England Baptist Hospital expanded its reach among youth in Boston and the surrounding area with the goal of bringing youth from diverse neighborhoods and towns together. Children from local YMCA’s and Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) participating in their club’s basketball leagues received Celtics-branded jerseys. Additionally, the program hosted a Jr. Celtics kickoff tournament, three strength and conditioning clinics, three skills clinics, a Captain’s summit and All-Star ceremony that reached over 500 youth from various YMCA’s and BCYF centers. “If you’re a hard worker and dedicated to achieving your goals, you will be successful in life. Things won’t always be easy. Throughout your life you might face a variety of different obstacles but don’t let anything stop you from being the woman or man that you want to be someday.”

- Brandon Bass addressing youth at the kickoff tournament Celtics Celebrating the Holidays For the last four seasons, the Celtics team has hosted a holiday party in Waltham for 60 youth from homeless shelters. Youth interact with the players as they rotate through three stations: playing basketball on the court, making ice cream sundaes in the conference room and playing board games and decorating cookies in the Hall of Fame room. Thanks to generous donations from players and Celtics staff, at the conclusion of the event, Celtics players surprise the kids with gifts such as iPod Touches, iPod docks, winter jackets, Celtics sweatshirts, Reebok gift cards and . Additionally, for the last 11 years, Celtics personnel have spent time visiting young patients at the Children’s Hospital Boston. These holiday visits have become among the most anticipated events of the season.

Heroes Among Us

The Heroes Among Us program proudly presented by the Massachusetts State Lottery, with support from WEEI 850AM and Comcast SportsNet is one of the premier community- outreach efforts in the National Basketball Association. The Heroes Among Us program was founded in 1997 to honor those individuals who have had remarkable impact on the lives of others. The Heroes Among Us Award is presented to an individual or individuals who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community. At each home game since the program’s inception, the Celtics and their fans have saluted the exemplary efforts of these citizens during a special in-game presentation on the team’s legendary parquet floor. To date, more than 600 individuals have received the Heroes Among Us Award.

Shamrock Dreams For the last five seasons, the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation has given season ticket holders the opportunity to donate their tickets through the Shamrock Dreams program. Donated tickets are then distributed to children who may not have the opportunity or the chance to experience a game otherwise. Additionally, every youth receives a complimentary food voucher for a hot dog and soft drink while at the game. To date, over 5,000 tickets worth $600,000 have been donated to mentors and their mentees across Massachusetts. Black History Month The month of February has been dedicated to the study and appreciation of black history dating back to 1926. The Celtics have been pioneers in the integration of professional sports. In 1950, the Celtics became the first NBA team to include a black player when they selected Chuck Cooper in the second round of that year’s draft. Also, in 1966, succeeded as the coach of the Celtics, becoming the first black head coach in U.S. professional sports history. In honor of Black History Month this season, the Celtics teamed up with the Massachusetts Army National Guard to host an event with 30 high school students. This year, the youth along with Celtics guard, Keyon Dooling participated in a ‘Quick Facts’ game and ‘Slammin Trivia’ as they learned about African-American history. “As a young person I would close my eyes and visualize myself doing something great one day. I am here to tell you that if you can close your eyes and visualize yourself achieving your dreams, you can open your eyes and realize those dreams.” -Keyon Dooling

Old Mutual Renovation Program During the 2011-2012 season, Old Mutual partnered with the Boston Celtics to renovate four classrooms that act as shared spaces for the Condon Elementary School, Condon Boys and Girls Club and BCYF Condon Community Center. Projects included a fresh paint job, massive Celtics wall graphics, eight computers, two flat screen televisions, tables, chairs, beanbags, rugs, art supplies and games. With over 700 students using the space daily, the rooms were in need of a makeover. This renovation marked the beginning of an annual partnership among Old Mutual and the Celtics.

Dunkin’ Donuts KidZone Created in the 2000-01 season, the Dunkin’ Donuts KidZone is a special seating section that hosts children from charitable organizations at every Celtics home game. Dunkin’ Donuts provides youth with complimentary tickets to the KidZone as well as T-shirts, the opportunity to sit courtside during pre-game shoot-around and a group photo taken on the court. Dunkin’ Donuts KidZone is part of a broad community-outreach initiative to provide tickets to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to go to a professional sporting event. This multi-year campaign has also succeeded in promoting volunteerism and community service throughout New England. TD Bank Kid’s Clubhouse TD Bank, in partnership with the Boston Celtics, provides children from all across Massachusetts the opportunity to attend a Celtics game. Thanks to the TD Bank Kids’ Clubhouse program, over 600 youth attended a game during the 2011-12 season. In addition to receiving a Celtics game ticket, every child also received a T-shirt, dinner, a courtside seat to watch the Celtics pre-game warm-ups, a photo at center court and recognition on the CelticVision HD video screen. The TD Bank Kids’ Clubhouse is another example of how TD Bank makes a difference for children in the community.

Seats For Soldiers Now in its fifth year, Seats for Soldiers Night presented by the Massachusetts Army National Guard honors the courageous men and women of the armed forces. During the 2011-12 season, season ticket holders, corporate sponsors and the Celtics donated a record 1,200 tickets to enlisted military personnel of all branches. During the game, military bases from around the globe were teleconferenced into the arena as they watched the game from afar. The Hero Among Us Award was given to a member of the armed forces and individuals were interviewed by and Tommy Heinsohn on the live television broadcast. The evening concluded with a post-game shoot around on the parquet as military servicemen and women got a chance to play ball and meet a Celtics player. Make-A-Wish Every season the Boston Celtics host children from the Make-A-Wish foundation in an effort to fulfill their dreams of meeting their favorite NBA players. Youth struggling with different illnesses had the opportunity to attend a Celtics practice, game and spend quality time with the players. Additionally, the children received Celtics gear, signed jerseys and shoes. The annual event leaves a long-lasting impression on not only the youth, but the team as well. During the 2011-2012 season, three youth met their favorite players, and .

RE/MAX Home Court The Boston Celtics and RE/MAX of New England are proud to continue the RE/MAX of New England Home Court Program. The program offers contestants the chance to have their home driveways transformed into a Celtics-themed home court, complete with equipment, Celtics gear and a Celtics-style bedroom makeover. Additionally, the Celtics and RE/MAX host a free basketball clinic in the community of each winner. This clinic conducted by a Celtics player, not only teaches basketball skills, but also stress the importance of leadership, sportsmanship and community involvement. Both the home-court makeover and clinic feature a Celtics legend as well. Celtics Players in the Community During the 2011-2012 season, players were frequently in the community spearheading their own service projects. In January, Rajon Rondo went shopping with 22 youth from the Kids Day Program at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC). He gave each child $250.00 in order to buy shoes and clothes. The next month, Keyon Dooling along with teammates Kevin Garnett, Rondo, Chris Wilcox and Marquis Daniels hosted two food drives for families in need. The players purchased $20,000 worth of food and products for over 400 families. In March and April, Ray Allen renovated two computer labs, one in Hartford, Connecticut and the other in Boston. The renovations included 28+ state-of-the-art computers, a smartboard, wall graphics and new tables and chairs.

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