Nike Helps Re-build New Orleans With Donation

NBA ALL-STAR LEBRON JAMES, BRAND JORDAN & CONVERSE ALSO ASSIST

As part of Nike’s Let Me Play program, five basketball courts were refurbished in New Orleans, Louisiana in order to help restore sport to the city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. On Thursday, February 14, 2008 NBA All-Star LeBron James and WNBA legend Lisa Leslie were on hand for the dedication of the St. Bernard Center Basketball Court.

“I hope these basketball courts will make a real difference in the lives of New Orleans youth,” said James. “I am very proud to be involved with Nike’s efforts to give back to this community.”

The ceremony kicked off the community-oriented events that Nike is hosting for the 2008 All-Star weekend. After the ceremony, local area youth inducted the court into their community with an exhibition basketball game and numerous other activities.

At the dedication, Nike unveiled its plans for a new community store (scheduled to open in April 2008 ), which will host an annual grant program to support community-based initiatives targeting sport opportunities for women and youth; the store will also provide local jobs and management training programs.

Since 2005, Nike has donated over $7 million in product and cash to New Orleans. Last year, Nike launched the Let Me Play New Orleans program by donating $2 million in product, equipment and play surfaces as part of its rebuilding through sport effort. 

Nike’s five donated courts are located at four New Orleans Park and Recreation locations: Sam Bonart, Taylor Park, Stallings-Gentilly Park, and the St. Bernard Center. Made of recycled shoes, the courts were built as part of Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe recycling program, which collects worn-out sneakers and recycles them into new play surfaces. Shoes for these courts were collected at Nike retail locations nationwide by community members eager to assist in the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans.

Other All-Star weekend events include a community donation by Jordan Brand consisting of a $500,000 check presentation at the Boys and Girls club of Slidell and product donations by Nike Subsidiary Converse to 100 youth teams.