John Starks has message for kids: Read to achieve

August 12, 2013 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Former New York Knicks star John Starks came to the Brooklyn Public Library’s Gravesend branch with an important message for kids about how reading fuels the imagination.

Joined by state Sen. Marty Golden (R-C-Bay Ridge-southern Brooklyn), the retired shooting recently ppeared at the library at 303 Avenue X as part of a program called the Cablevision Power to Learn Knicks Read to Achieve, summer reading initiative. The program is jointly sponsored by Cablevision, Kia Motors and the New York Knicks.

Starks, who now heads the Knicks’s Alumni Relations and Fan Development programs, read aloud from the book “Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball” by John Coy.

Golden also read passages of the book aloud to children. “Summer is the perfect time for children to discover the joys of reading and build a greater appreciation for literature and learning,” Golden said. “I’d like to thank Cablevision, the New York Knicks and Kia Motors for bringing this exciting program to our community. The children here are sure to benefit from this positive learning experience and the opportunity to meet and interact with a tremendous role model,” he said.

“Cablevision, in conjunction with Kia and the New York Knicks, is pleased to introduce children to popular books and engage them in summer reading through our innovative Read to Achieve program,” said Jennifer Ostrager, Cablevision’s vice president of public affairs. “Cablevision is committed to working with communities throughout the tri-state region to provide them with advanced telecommunications services, as well as a host of educational initiatives,” she said.

Targeted to children ages 6-12, the summer reading event is implemented through participating libraries and community organizations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The literacy event encourages reading through the use of incentives and is highlighted by book giveaways, ticket raffles, free T-shirts and read-aloud events with Knicks alumni and elected officials.

More information about the program is available at powertolearn.com.