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Arenas's Scores Big With Schools
Gilbert Arenas, second from left, announces at a Verizon Center press conference the schools that will receive the donations. At right, students cheer during the press conference.
(Photos By Washington Wizards)
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Over the past two seasons, Arenas has been the Wizards' most durable player, missing just four games. Arenas will donate $500 to the designated school if he does not play in a home game, and the Pollins will do the same for any missed road games.
Last season, Arenas's 2,346 points and two missed games would have added up to $235,600 in donations.
Arenas said he created the program, with help from the Wizards' community relations staff, so that his success on the court can benefit area schools, which can use the money to purchase computers, athletic uniforms and equipment or fund after-school activities.
The program was announced on the Wizards' Web site early last month, and schools had until Oct. 18 to enter a lottery. About 190 area schools signed up for the drawing, held with much fanfare Oct. 30 at Verizon Center.
With more than 130 of the schools represented by screaming students waving handmade signs and administrators wearing keychains in school colors, Arenas pulled school names from a gold-plated bin. Abe Pollin later used a blind draw to select the additional schools from those that were not picked during the initial drawing.
"I'm proud of Gilbert for initiating this wonderful program," Pollin said in a statement released by the Wizards. "Irene and I are just happy to be a part of it."
The schools that were not selected in the first drawing each received four tickets to Saturday's game. The schools selected to win money during home games each received 10 tickets to attend their designated games.
Nina James, president of the Parent Teacher Association for Glebe Elementary School in Arlington, said she usually does not follow basketball but is looking forward to the Wizards' home game against the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 4, when her school will benefit.
"It's fantastic for our school," James said. "I hope he scores the highest number he can possibly score."
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