NBA star Antawn Jamison scores with new KaBOOM playground

Build day set for Sept. 4 in Bossier City, LA

For release: July 28, 2008

Two-time NBA all-star Antawn Jamison, a high-scoring forward with the Washington Wizards, will team up with Community Renewal, Bellaire Baptist Church and many volunteers on Sept. 4 to sponsor and help build a KaBOOM playground in Bossier City, La.

A Shreveport native who starred at the University of North Carolina before entering the NBA in 1998, Jamison launched the "A Better Tomorrow" campaign to strengthen his relationship within his community and provide assistance to those less fortunate. He has assisted many community outreach efforts during his NBA career. Learn more at www.antawnjamison.com.

"As a professional athlete, I have an obligation to help those less fortunate. I really enjoy being in a position to aid my community and put a smile on somebody's face. That is what it is all about," he said.

Jamison participated in a KaBOOM playground build during the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans and wanted to bring a playground to his hometown. The playground will be built near a Community Renewal Friendship House and the Bellaire Baptist mission house in the Barksdale Annex neighborhood in Bossier City.

The playground's design will be based on drawings by children who are served by the Friendship House. They met Jamison during the Playground Design Day on July 22. A Friendship House is a haven of hope for at-risk children and provides a variety of services, including after-school programs, youth service projects, tutoring and family nights. Community Renewal has helped more than 1,900 children through eight Friendship Houses since its founding in 1994.

KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization whose vision is to create a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Founded in 1996, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,400 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America.

"Helping out with the build in New Orleans was one of my most memorable experiences during All-Star Weekend," Jamison said. "I didn't realize how much hard work goes into building a playground. It was very inspirational to see all those community members and volunteers working together to provide a place where kids can play and feel safe. There's nothing like physically helping to build a playground for kids. I'm looking forward to the next build so I can step in and get my hands dirty. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Jamison will also assist KaBOOM! in promotional efforts for WE Play! (Workshops Entirely on Play!) - free regional trainings occurring across the country that provide networking opportunities and first-hand success stories on how to bring play back into the lives of children. Additionally, Jamison will serve as a KaBOOM! All-Star Playmaker - an extension of the Playmaker Network consisting of national leaders and celebrities who take action for play on behalf of KaBOOM!, while promoting the importance of play.

"The word ‘play' molded me into the person I am today," Jamison said. "Growing up in Shreveport was all about having a special place to hang out and converse with my friends. That special place was a little playground. That one little playground gave me so many chances. It helped instill my work ethic and passion for basketball and ultimately helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my life."

This will be the second KaBOOM! Playground to be built near a Friendship House in less than a year. Last fall, country music superstars Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of the multi-platinum duo Brooks & Dunn teamed up with volunteers from The Home Depot, Academy of Country Music, KaBOOM! and Shreveport community members to build a playground at a Community Renewal Friendship House in the Queensborough neighborhood.

Community Renewal International is a nonprofit effort to restore safe and healthy communities through caring relationships. Founded in 1994, Community Renewal reaches at-risk youth through Friendship Houses built in impoverished neighborhoods, strengthens education through the Adult Renewal Academy, partners with The Fuller Center for Housing and connects caring partners who turn their neighborhoods into safe havens of friendship and support.

Contact: David Westerfield, director of communications
(318) 425-3222
davidwesterfield@communityrenewal.us