TULSA, OK– If you were were at lunch downtown on Thursday and you saw the large number of school buses surrounding the amazing BOK Center, you can see how the Tulsa Shock are having a positive impact in the community.

Some 4,600 and change saw the the Shock fall 83-74 and right around 2,600 of those were Tulsa schoolchildren on an end-of-the-school year field trip.  It was a simple thing, but it exemplifies the committment of the Shock’s ownership group to make a positive impact on the Tulsa community.  In the weeks leading up to the Shock’s debut last weekend, players have been seen speaking to community groups, visitng the local Boys and Girls Club and partnering with Tulsa Public Schools to promote physical fitness for kids.

Shock Co-Owner David Box was aglow with the respose the kids were giving to the team at halftime of Thursday’s game. “That’s the reason Bill Cameron and I and the ownership group got together to do this–to male an impact.” Box said, “To see 2,600 kids here along with the other fans is the reason why we are here.”

It also illustrates the Shock’s ongoing committment to WNBA Cares.  Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on promoting a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, breast health awareness, youth and family development, and education.

WNBA Cares is a part of NBA Cares, an initiative through which, the leagues, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years.

Some of the programs endorsed by WNBA Cares include:

WNBA BE SMART – BE FIT – BE YOURSELF
WNBA Be Smart – Be Fit – Be Yourself encourages teens and women of all ages to learn more about their bodies and the importance of physical fitness through programs related to health, fitness, nutrition and self-esteem. Programming inspires teens and women to get started on “being fit” through small changes in their daily regimen. The content of the program is communicated and delivered through a Fitness Journal, a ‘Team’ of Spokespeople and National and Local Events, promotion and a live presence.

BREAST HEALTH AWARENESS
For nine years, the WNBA Breast Health Awareness program focuses on generating awareness and educating women about breast cancer in addition to raising funds for the initiative. The WNBA and its teams have raised nearly $2,000,000 to aid in the fight against breast cancer.

READ TO ACHIEVE
Read to Achieve is a year-round, league-wide initiative supported by NBA, WNBA and NBADL teams that promotes the values of reading and on-line literacy and encourages families and adults to read regularly with young children. The program includes thousands of reading time-outs, the donation of books and literacy materials, and the creation of Reading and Learning Centers and Reading Corners throughout the world.

JR. WNBA
The Jr. WNBA believes that lessons learned on- and off-the-court as a member of a team are lessons that are infinitely useful in building relationships at school, home and work. By stressing fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and positive adult participation, the Jr. WNBA aims to develop a life-long passion for the game of basketball by providing a support structure that not only encourages participation, but also makes the game fun and rewarding for players, coaches, officials and parents.

To see how you can help the Shock in the community, or participate in the community rpograms related to WNBA Cares contact the Tulsa Shock office at 599-WNBA or consult either the Tulsa Shock website or wnba.com for more information.

The Shock will travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Lynx at 3pm on Sunday afternoon and will return home to face the 2009 defending WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury at 6pm on Tuesday May 25th at 6pm in the amazing BOK Center.  They will contiume the two game home set on Friday, May 28 at 7pm when they face the Indiana Dream.  Tickets for the Shock’s home games can be obtained at the BOK Center box office, by phone at 599-WNBA (9622), or at tulsashock.net.