The Cleveland Cavaliers are committed to positively impacting important social issues in our community in the areas of education, health & wellness, youth & family services and volunteerism. Through our community programs and initiatives and with financial support from the Cavaliers Youth Fund, a fund of the Cleveland Foundation, the Cavaliers aim to set the standard of giving in our community. EDUCATION READ TO ACHIEVE Presented in association with Castaway Bay Read to Achieve is a year-round campaign designed to help young people develop a life-long love for reading and encourage adults to read regularly with children. The program reaches thousands of elementary, middle and high school students in Northeast Ohio through reading challenges, reading time-outs, book drives and donations, and the construction of Reading & Learning Centers. READING & LEARNING CENTERS Presented in association with Sherwin-Williams The development of Reading & Learning Centers throughout Northeast Ohio allows qualified non-profit organizations with the opportunity to improve the condition of its current facility as well as to improve the quality of its literacy and educational programming. Since 2004, the Cavaliers have created 13 Reading & Learning Centers at community-based organizations: St. Martin de Porres Family Center (Cleveland), Project: LEARN of Summit County (Akron), the Drew Gooden Reading & Learning Center at East End Neighborhood House (Cleveland), E. Prep Academy (Cleveland), the Eric Snow Reading & Learning Center at the Ed Peel Coleman Recreation Center (Canton), Boys & Girls Club-West Side Club (Cleveland), Douglas McArthur Girls Leadership Academy (Cleveland), Kenneth Clement Boys Leadership Academy (Cleveland), AJ Rickoff School (Cleveland), Nordson Boys & Girls Club (Elyria), West Side Ecumenical Ministries (Cleveland), St. Thomas Aquinas (Cleveland) and John Marshall High School (Cleveland). CAVALIERS/FIRSTMERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Presented by FirstMerit Bank For the 24th year, the Cavaliers and FirstMerit Bank will award ten high school seniors with $2,000 college scholarships. Graduating high school seniors must submit a 500- word essay, perform a high level of service in their communities and provide a high school transcript, ACT and SAT scores and one letter of recommendation from a high school faculty member. 333
HEAD OF THE CLASS Head of the Class recognizes teachers in Northeast Ohio for making a difference in their students lives both inside and outside the classroom. Teachers are nominated by their principles or peers, and six winners are chosen throughout the season based on their outstanding contributions to education. Cavaliers mascots Moondog and Sir C.C. travel to each winner s school to surprise him/her with a super-sized ticket for a Cavaliers home game. Head of the Class honorees also receive two passes to the VIP Club, two tickets to a Cavaliers home game, an on-court plaque presentation and a $500.00 donation to their classroom for school supplies. ALL-STAR KIDS Presented by Cuyahoga Community College All-Star Kids recognizes those middle school students in Northeast Ohio who are setting a positive example for their peers. These quality kids must demonstrate a positive attitude, good behavior and work hard in and out of the classroom. Students are nominated by their teachers or principals and nine winners are chosen throughout the school year. Cavaliers mascots Moondog and Sir C.C. travel to each winner s school to surprise him/her with a super-sized ticket for a Cavaliers home game. All-Star Kids honorees also receive four tickets to a Cavaliers home game, VIP Club passes, an on-court plaque presentation and a pizza party for their classrooms. CAVALIERS GREEN WEEK AWARD Presented by Republic Services The Cavaliers Green Week Award recognizes schools and individual students who exhibit exceptional efforts to promote sustainability and to make our community a more environmentally friendly place. Students must submit a description of their project or efforts that are making their school or community more sustainable, and five winners will be chosen to display their projects on the concourse at a Cavaliers home game during Green Week in March. STRAIGHT A ALL-STARS Presented by Westfield Insurance Straight A All-Stars rewards students for high scholastic achievement. The program is open to all elementary and middle school students, grades K-8, in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Summit, Medina, Portage, Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula counties. Students who receive straight A s at the end of the first and second grading periods are entered into a contest to win two (2) tickets to a Cavaliers home game! Three hundred entrants will win Cavaliers game tickets and a t-shirt, and everyone receives and official Straight A All-Star certificate and gift. NBA MATH HOOPS The Cavaliers are proud to partner with NBA Math Hoops to provide students and teachers throughout Northeast Ohio with a season-long community experience, tying their math education to the game of basketball and the current statistics of the NBA/WNBA s biggest stars. The program is centered around a board game, mobile app, and supplemental curriculum that is tied to the Common Core State Standards for mathematics. Participants use the program regularly in the classroom and after-school programs, and take part in special team-sponsored events including a Tip-off Clinic for educators and State Championship for outstanding students. During the 2013-14 season, participating students test scores increased by an average of 28%. In 2014-15, the program will expand to include over 50 sites in the region, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland and Lorain County, Breakthrough Schools, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Columbus After-School All-Stars, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Esperanza, and Open Doors Academy. 334
HEALTH & WELLNESS FIT AS A PRO Presented by Medical Mutual and Giant Eagle Fit As A Pro is a year-round campaign designed to encourage physical fitness and well-balanced nutrition among elementary school students in Northeast Ohio. The program reaches thousands of students in Northeast Ohio through fitness challenges, nutrition education, and information on how to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. YOUTH HOOPS PROGRAM Presented by Medical Mutual The Cavaliers, in partnership with the National Basketball Academy, impact the lives of more than 1,000 young athletes across Northeast Ohio at various Camps and Clinics throughout the year. In addition to the ever popular Summer Camps, the Youth Hoops program hosts NEOEA Day Clinics, Holiday Clinics, Moondog Mini Dribblers program and private Cavs Youth Training Sessions. WHEELCHAIR CAVALIERS & JR. WHEELCHAIR CAVALIERS Presented by Cleveland Clinic and Invacare The Wheelchair Cavaliers return to the court this season to entertain fans across the country with their basketball skill and athleticism. In addition, the team visits hospitals, schools and youth centers in the Northeast Ohio region to promote wheelchair basketball and performs during half-time of two Cavaliers home games. The program also includes a Jr. Wheelchair Cavaliers team in partnership with the Achievement Centers for Children. 335
YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES LEGACY PROJECTS Cavaliers Legacy Projects are designed to provide children and families in Northeast Ohio with safe places to Live, Learn and Play. Since 2008, the Cavaliers have completed six such projects, including the funding and construction of a home for Habitat for Humanity; the construction of an outdoor basketball court at East End Neighborhood House; the installation of an outdoor sports court at the Cleveland Clinic Children s Hospital for Rehabilitation; the renovation of a family lounge at the Cleveland Clinic Children s Hospital for Rehabilitation; the renovation of a family room and resource center at Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cleveland; and the refurbishment of the playroom at Cleveland Clinic Children s. SEASON OF GIVING Presented by Nestlé Baking From Thanksgiving through the New Year, the NBA and its teams celebrate the Season of Giving, a series of charitable visits and events designed to help feed the hungry, lift the spirits of ailing children and spread the joy of the holiday season to the underserved. CAVALIERS & MONSTERS TOY DRIVE The Cavaliers and Lake Erie Monsters make the holidays special for children in our community by hosting their annual Toy Drive. Fans can drop-off NEW toys at all Cavaliers and Monsters home games from November 22 December 9, 2014. All toys are distributed to underserved children in Northeast Ohio. CAVALIERS HARVEST FOR HUNGER CAMPAIGN Harvest for Hunger, one of the largest annual, community-wide food and funds drives in the nation, provides critical resources to local hunger relief organizations in twenty-one counties in Northeast and North Central Ohio. At Cavs home games on March 18th and 20th, fans can donate canned goods and non-perishable items at all entrances of Quicken Loans Arena. VOLUNTEERISM 6TH MAN Team members of the Cavaliers Operating Company, including members of the Cavaliers, Lake Erie Monsters, Canton Charge, Cleveland Gladiators and Quicken Loans Arena, strive to make a difference in our community through volunteer projects and opportunities. Team members have the opportunity to volunteer for organizational programs and initiatives as well as with local non-profit agencies a minimum of four hours each month. Through volunteer opportunities, service on non-profit boards and participation in local philanthropic activities, the Cavaliers Operating Company is striving to be a champion in the community. CAVALIER LEGENDS The mission of the Cavaliers Legends Alumni Program is to promote, enhance and preserve the team s lineage by acting as a resource of support for former players. The Legends group also allows fans to reconnect with the history of Cavaliers basketball and maintain strong relationships within its local and surrounding communities. Cavaliers Legends who are currently involved in the program include Austin Carr, Campy Russell, Jim Chones, Barry Clemens, Larry Nance, Bingo Smith, Harry Davis and Elmore Smith. 336
NBA Cares is the league s global social responsibility program that builds on the NBA s mission of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world. Through this program, the NBA, its teams and players have donated more than $237 million to charity, completed more than 3 million hours of hands-on community service, and created more than 895 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play, in 25 countries and territories on five continents. NBA Cares works with internationally recognized youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes, including: KaBOOM!, Special Olympics, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, UNICEF, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Share Our Strength and GLAAD. MISSION The Cavaliers Youth Fund, a fund of the Cleveland Foundation, supports programs for children, families and young adults designed to positively impact the community in the areas of education, health, recreation, employment, entrepreneurship and life skills. Since its inception in 1993, more than $22,000,000 has been granted through the CYF to local nonprofit organizations. PROGRAM GUIDELINES Grants are made by The Cavaliers Youth Fund in response to invited applications from organizations serving needs of the community. All applicants must be qualified tax-exempt organizations. The geographic area for consideration is Northeastern Ohio. ABOUT THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation is the world s first community foundation and the nation s second largest today. We improve the lives of Greater Clevelanders by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking, and providing leadership on vital issues. We would not exist today without the extraordinary generosity and vision of our donors. For more information on the Cleveland Foundation, visit www.clevelandfoundation.org. 337
CAVALIERS YOUTH FUND ALL-TIME GRANT RECIPIENTS Achievement Center for Children American Cancer Society American Red Cross Cleveland Chapter Bellflower Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse Berea Children s Home Bicentennial Commission Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cleveland Bizdom Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland Boys & Girls Clubs of Lorain County Care Alliance Case Western Reserve University Center for Families and Children City of Cleveland Recreation Department City Year Cleanland, Ohio Cleveland Botanical Garden Cleveland Center for Economic Education Cleveland Christian Home Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland Courage Fund Cleveland Education Fund Cleveland Foodbank Cleveland Housing Network Cleveland Initiative for Education Cleveland State University Foundation Cleveland Women, Inc. College Now Greater Cleveland Council for Economic Opportunity in Greater Cleveland Cuyahoga Community College Fund Cuyahoga Valley Association Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center East Akron Community House Easter Seals Northeast Ohio Effective Leadership Academy Family Promise of Greater Cleveland Group Workcamps HARAMBEE Hattie Larlham HELP Foundation, Inc. Inner City Schools Diocese of Cleveland Juvenile Diabetes International, Inc. Lake Erie Girl Scouts Council Lakemore United Community Council Leprechaun Foundation Malone College Marycrest NE Ohio Chapter of the National MS Society Neighborhood Centers Association New Life Community Ohio Cancer Research Associates Ohio Caring Foundation Old Stone Education Foundation Open Doors Academy Pathway Caring for Children ParkWorks Personal Physicians Care of Ohio Project LEARN Project Love Providence House Safe Landing Youth Shelter Shoes & Clothes for Kids St. Edward High School St. Mary s Parish CYO St. Peter s School Summit County Boys & Girls Clubs Summit County CYO & Community Service Summit County Urban League The Akron Blind Center The City Mission The Cleveland Society for the Blind The Eleanor Rainey Memorial Institute The Foundation Fighting Blindness The Hanna Perkins School The Salvation Army The Sokol Greater Cleveland The Twelve, Inc. United Cerebral Palsy University Settlement Urban League Visiting Nurse Association West Side Ecumenical Ministry WVIZ-TV Youth Opportunities Unlimited YWCA of Greater Cleveland 338
Moondog Moondog has a unique connection not just to the Cavaliers, but to all of Cleveland. Cleveland is known worldwide as the Rock & Roll city. Famed Cleveland radio disc-jockey Alan Freed coined the phrase Rock & Roll and sparked a music explosion in the 1950 s. Freed often referred to himself as the Moondog and his listeners as Moondoggers. The Cavaliers Moondog is dedicated to following in the spirit of the original. Alan Freed was innovative, fun-loving, passionate and controversial. Moondog has proven to be the same. In 2014-15 Moondog will embark on his fourth annual Moondog 100k Challenge. The collection of charitable walks and runs focus on his role as a community ambassador by committing his time to engage, excite and entertain at select charity walks and runs. In at least 20 walks, Moondog will greet participants, warm up the crowd, and start the races off with the same energy normally reserved for Quicken Loans Arena. Moondog s personal challenge is to reach 100k, one 5k walk at a time. Find out more about Moondog s 100k journey at moondog100k.com. Unleash Moondog at your next event: unleashthedog@cavs.com or www.papertrained.com. Sir CC Sir CC is an original expression of the wine and gold, just like the jerseys unveiled for the 2010-2011 season. CC has been a Cleveland Cavaliers fan since the 1970-71 season and has been around supporting the Cavs throughout the history of the team. CC can be seen at every Cavaliers home game cheering on our team and energizing the fans, making sure that everyone s trip to The Q is one they will never forget! CC is also active in the community, making stops all over Northeast Ohio to interact with Cavs fans and share his love for Cleveland Cavaliers basketball. To have Sir CC at your next event, email him at sircc@cavs.com, or check out his page in the fan zone at www.cavs.com 339