JMS+375+Group+1

N B A  C a r e s media type="youtube" key="6TMdDf0NkCE" height="349" width="560" align="center"

[|NBA Cares YoutTube Video]

//By: JMS375 Group 1 - Jessica Garcia, Kaylee Gardner, and Rea Stowell// // Welcome to our Wikipage! This page will contain information about a very important program known as NBA Cares. Now, for all of you who don't know what the NBA is, let us give you a little bit of their background. //

By: Jessica Garcia
 * INTRODUCTION **

The NBA, otherwise known as the National Basketball Association, is the men’s professional basketball team of North America. The association was established in 1946 in New York, but the name wasn’t officially established until 1949 (Rauzulu, 2004). The association consists of thirty member clubs; twenty-nine are located in the US, and one in Canada. The NBA is one of the professional sports leagues of North America. Although the NBA was established as a source for entertainment, it is obvious they have become more than that. The NBA can be considered to be a business that not only seeks to entertain, but also to help others; something that can be demonstrated through their program NBA Cares that we will discuss in the following paragraph. If you would like to know more about the NBA, please click on the following link []

By: Jessica Garcia
 * 1. What is the issue or cause the organization is targeting? **

The National Basketball Association has developed a program called NBA Cares, which was established in 2005 in order to help social issues that are of concern for the United States. According to the NBA Cares, the social issues that the program deals with are issues such as “education, youth and family development, and health and wellness” (NBA Media Ventures, 2011). Ever since the establishment of the program many communities have received help by the program’s “philanthropy, hands-on service and legacy projects” (NBA Media Ventures, 2011). Their work is not only felt nationally, but also globally, “its teams and players have reached children and families near and far, from Boston to Beijing” (NBA Media Ventures, 2011). The NBA Cares helps families and children obtain a stable and healthy environment where exercise, play, and education replace many negativities of today’s world. The NBA Cares has developed several other programs and campaigns that focus on each issue. For example, the **“Read to Achieve”** program was developed in order to help the education issue. This is a national campaign created to encourage individuals to enjoy reading as well as being online-literate (NBA Media Ventures, 2011). A very important aspect of this campaign is that it not only targets young adults, but also encourages parents to read and speak to their children about the issue. The program not only provides schools with resources, but also individuals; these resources range from books to computers. The NBA Cares has many more programs that touch on every issue such as the “Live, Learn, or Play” campaign which provides recreational areas for children; the “Vaccines for Teens” campaign which encourages young adults to stay healthy; the “Community Care Cruiser” which is a mobile Presbyterian Hospital available for the public; and many other programs created solely to help the public. As we can see, the NBA Cares really does care! It’s important to realize that the help this program provides is for everyone.

By: Jessica Garcia
 * 2. What methods are being used to promote this cause? **

Other than having events and mobile cruisers that let the community know about their program, the NBA Cares also uses social networking sites to extend, not only its public, but also its help. These social networking sites, as noted in our modules by Professor Nee, allow individuals from all around the world to become more than just connected. Social networking sites help individuals communicate instantly and efficiently. For example, the NBA Cares has a Facebook, twitter, MySpace, and a YouTube channel, in order to extend the program virally.



<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Thanks to these sites, the NBA Cares can successfully communicate its involvement and new events to users in a matter of seconds. Not only that, but they can also receive feedback instantly, which is very important for businesses; knowing what the target market thinks is key for becoming successful. For example, on Facebook, users are encouraged to comment or like any picture or news that is posted on the program’s page. For instance, the NBA Cares posted information about a new event just two hours ago and it already has 17 likes and 2 comments. This is also the case for their twitter account; users are informed by minute-by-minute tweets and are encouraged to re-tweet anything of their interest. It is obvious these sites are very interactive and encourage individuals to stay involved, for instance, lets look at the program’s YouTube channel. The channel contains videos about the program, basketball, other programs, campaigns, events, team and player efforts, personal testimonies from the public, interviews with individual players, and much more!



<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Therefore, thanks to social networking sites and user-generated sites, the NBA Cares is able to connect with its followers instantly and more efficiently. We recommend you to get involved in this cause and to check out the program’s sites!

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[] <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[] <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[|http://twitter.com/#!/nbacares]

By: Rea Stowell
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 24px;">3. What has been the result so far of this effort? **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The results of NBA Cares have been incredible. NBA Cares was launched in 2005. Since then, over $145 million has been raised, 1.4 million hours of hands-on service has been done, and over 525 buildings, basketball courts, libraries, playgrounds, homes, and technology rooms have been constructed for families to live in, play in, and learn in. A map demonstrated that NBA Cares has built 117 places to live, 203 places to learn, and 244 places to play across the globe (NBA Media Ventures, 2011).

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Many of the most famous players in the NBA have personally donated time and effort to a cause, especially over the past year. Kobe Bryant teamed up with President Barack Obama as well as members from the Boys and Girls Club of America. Together, they built care packages for troops that were overseas. DeSagana Diop dedicated a new basketball court to his hometown of Golf, Senegal. Al Horford and his teammates helped serve over 200 meals to residents of a homeless shelter. There are several causes that NBA Cares contributes to. To name a few, there is NBA Green Week, NBA Fit, NBA Cares Season of Giving, Basketball without Borders, and Nothing but Nets (NBA Media Ventures, 2011). Each one serves its own unique purpose, whether it be to teach kids the importance of staying fit, teaching them to read, donating food and supplies, or just meeting face to face.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">It’s clear that over the past five years, NBA Cares has been extremely successful. They have a variety of causes to support and they have many players, well-known or not, getting directly involved in all aspects. Because of the team effort and the broad support, NBA Cares is helping a variety of people in numerous places across the globe. Whether it is to feed people, read to them, build them basketball courts and libraries, or just talking to them in person, no action goes unappreciated.

By: Rea Stowell
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 24px;">4. Evaluate the effort overall. **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The effort that is being put forth by NBA Cares is creating a positive brand for the organization. It not only shows that the NBA organization cares as whole about specific issues, but those individuals in the organization care as well. DeSagana Diop having a basketball court being built in his home town is a great example of how personal everyone can get in the NBA Cares organization (NBA Media Ventures, 2011).

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> There is always a chance that an effort for the better good could backfire due to lack of support, loss of interest, and speculation. But as it stands, NBA Cares is doing well in the five years it has been in existence. In 2010, the Nothing But Nets campaign was honored with two awards. They were awarded by the Cause Marketing Forum for their partnership in preventing malaria in Africa. Back in 2007, Nothing But Nets won the People’s Choice Award for ‘Best Charitable Organizations Nonprofit Website of 2007’ (Nothing But Nets, 2009). These awards may seem insignificant, but they prove that NBA Cares, its partnerships, and its efforts are all being recognized. Awards such as these are not for fame or fortune, but simply to show that the work being done is noticed and appreciated.



<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> It seems that the organization and the individuals involved really care about what they are doing. There are numerous times that specific individuals have gotten directly involved in what they are doing. Every month, the NBA nominates a player in the league for the Community Assist Award. The NBA then donates $5,000 to a charity of the winners’ choice (NBA Media Ventures, 2011). In January 2011, Ray Allen, who plays for the Boston Celtics, was given the NBA Cares Community Assist Award. He was recognized for his efforts in supporting U.S. troops overseas. In an interview, he said that coming from a military family, he appreciates the sacrifices that U.S. troops make. At one point, Allen met personally with 100 military soldiers and their families and later provided 20 tickets to active duty military soldiers and their families. He did this through the Celtic Seats for Soldiers Program (ESPN Internet Ventures, 2011). This is just one of many examples. But it shows that individuals can choose a variety of things to do to help out. NBA Cares has a variety of partnerships and causes to contribute to, and that is likely one of the reasons it has been such a success. There are plenty of options for individuals to help out with something they are truly passionate about.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">There is always a chance that organizations such as NBA Cares might fail. But if the people involved are there for the right reasons and the organization has a good standing with the public, the chance for success is just as great. NBA Cares has been noticed for its efforts, but not to a point where the underlying purpose is lost. Many people have benefited from NBA Cares, including people and children across the globe as well as the people and players directly involved with the organization. NBA Cares has many options for many people to help out. By doing so, the chance to fulfill a purpose that is personal to someone is always open.

media type="youtube" key="qlWLtRKcPDg" height="349" width="560" align="center"

[|The Lakers Give Back Video]

By: Kaylee Gardner (along with photos, videos, and aesthetics)
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 24px;">CONCLUS ****<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 24px;">ION **

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">The National Basketball Association is clearly a well-rounded association. Not only do they provide excellent entertainment, but the NBA gives back to the community. NBA Cares is an extremely successful program that has helped many communities work on social issues, like education and health for over 5 years now. NBA Cares has even created sub programs including “Read to Achieve” and “Vaccines for Kids.” Campaigns like this really make a difference in communities and help to spread awareness about issues like education deficits and lack of immunizations. The NBA does an excellent job of promoting NBA Cares and all of its programs though the use of social media. By having such an extensive and informative Facebook page, Twitter, and YouTube Channel, they are helping to spread the word of their helpful programs and are in turn helping communities to stay informed. NBA Cares encourages viewers to comment on their Facebook and Twitter so they can get feedback and improve upon their already thriving organization. The simple fact they are always looking to improve their goodwill, just goes to show how much they really do care about helping others. Since 2005 alone NBA Cares has raised over $145 million for communities in need, they have built 117 places to live and over 203 places to learn, along with many other acts of kindness! The NBA team players play a large role in these efforts, and do so willingly and for the right reasons. NBA Cares’s main purpose is to help those in need with no strings attached, and the charitable awards their programs have won are proof of just that.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Forsberg, C. (n.d.). Allen earns NBA Cares award - Boston Celtics Blog - ESPN Boston. ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4680577/allen-earns-nba-cares-award
 * REFERENCES **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">History. (n.d.). NBA Cares. Retrieved June 28, 2011, from www.nba.com/home/index.html

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Logalbo, A. (2010, June 4). Award-winning Effort with NBA Cares! | Nothing <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">But Nets Campaign. Home| Nothing But Nets Campaign. Retrieved July 1, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">2011, from http://www.nothingbutnets.net/blogs/award-winning-effort-with-nba-cares.html

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">National Basketball Association - History - ABA - NBL. (n.d.). Rauzulu's Street - A Sports Directory. Retrieved June 28, 2011, from <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">@http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/basketball/nba/nbahistory.htm