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On June 23, 2007, kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland, California had the opportunity to learn the basics of basketball from their hometown team: the Golden State Warriors. Sponsored by Oracle and the Warriors and held at the Oracle Arena, the Warriors Community Basketball Camp was the first of what will become an annual event for the children of Oakland.
The 75 campers were instructed by the Warriors Youth Basketball Department and a dedicated group of Oracle Volunteers. The kids learned the fundamentals of shooting, passing, ball-handling, defense, and moving without the ball. Oracle Volunteers modeled drills and coached the children, offering tips and encouragement as the kids improved their game.
According to Oracle Volunteer Andrew Wright, it was an exciting and rewarding day for both the kids and the instructors. “It was awesome,” he says. “Just to see the expressions on the children’s faces. They may not have the chance to experience something like this otherwise. It was great that Oracle gave them that chance.”
After going through their paces on the court, the kids got a visit from Kelenna Azubuike, who spoke about the importance of sportsmanship in basketball. All eyes were on the Warriors’ guard as he answered questions from the lively and inquisitive crowd.
“It was really a gratifying experience for me to participate in the basketball camp with the kids from the local Boys and Girls Club,” says Azubuike. “I’m glad that I had the opportunity to share that experience with the people at Oracle, who also donated their time to a great cause. As a role model, it is important for me to give back to the community and I know that Oracle puts a big emphasis on community involvement as well. It was a win-win event for everyone concerned—the kids, the Warriors, and Oracle.”
At the end of the day, Azubuike and the Oracle Volunteers handed out Warrior goodie bags to each participant. With first-rate instruction and a visit from one of the NBA’s top players, the Warriors Community Basketball Camp was off to an outstanding start.
The Oracle Zone
From the very beginning of their partnership, Oracle and the Warriors have joined forces to make a difference in the community of Oakland. The Warriors Community Basketball Camp is just one part of that effort. “When you become such a visible part of Oakland, you’re there to support the community as well,” says Judy Sim, senior vice president, Oracle Worldwide Marketing. “Being involved in the community in a positive way is an important part of being in the city.”
Oracle and the Warriors also host the Oracle Zone, offering 40 kids from the community and 10 adult chaperones seats at all regular season home games. Since the program’s inception, over 2,000 kids and chaperones have attended Warriors games in the Oracle Zone.
“It’s not just about Oracle having its name on the building,” declares Sim. “It’s a way for Oracle to give back to the community.”
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