June 2008 Dream Community Update

In between three games this week, Atlanta Dream players took some time away from the court to give back to some deserving members of the community.  In partnership with the American Heart Association, Tuesday night�s game against the Minnesota Lynx was designated as �Go Red for Women� night at Philips Arena.  Players from both teams warmed up in red shooting shirts and Dream fans sported the color to �red out� the arena.  Prior to the game, heart disease survivors participated in the ceremonial ball exchange with Dream players.  Even the Shooting Stars cheer and spirit team performed in special red outfits in support of the initiative.  Over 200 people registered for Go Red for Women at the game and numerous people signed up to �know their numbers� and receive free blood pressure screenings.  For additional information on the Go Red for Women initiative, please visit www.GoRedForWomen.org.
On Thursday, June 5, Dream players made a special visit to youth at the Hughes-Spalding campus of Children�s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Dream team ambassador Chantelle Anderson, Shooting Stars member Cassandra, Jennifer Lacy, Camille Little and Tamera Young reverted to their childhood days, �fishing� and �building a cabin� with children from Camp Twin Lakes at Hughes-Spalding children�s hospital.  Naturally, things got competitive when the players picked up the plastic fishing rods, even though the prize catch was colorful plastic fish.  While Anderson and Little spent most of their time at the �pond,� Lacy and Young helped put the finishing touches on a large mural of a cabin that the children were decorating.  The players also visited room-to-room where they spent time getting to know the children.

Also on Thursday, Kristin Haynie and Ann Strother took a trip up I-85 to Kennesaw to conduct a girls basketball clinic at Harrison High School.  Haynie and Strother talked about the importance of making good decisions growing up, how they were able to achieve success, and their experiences as professional athletes.  After they talked, Haynie and Strother opened up the floor for questions.  Then it was on to the clinic portion of the afternoon in which Haynie and Strother instructed the campers on proper shooting technique and different ball handling skills.  After the camp, the players stuck around to sign autographs and take photos with their newfound fans.

Stay tuned to www.AtlantaDream.net for more information on the Dream�s upcoming appearances in your community!