NEW YORK – Carolyn Swords of the New York Liberty has been awarded the July WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm for her efforts giving back to children and families throughout the Tri-State area.

Working closely with the Garden of Dreams Foundation and other community organizations, Swords brightened the lives of many New Yorkers this season.  During a recent Garden of Dreams event she spent time with families from the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund.  A former Girl Scout, she spoke to 100 local Girl Scouts and their families after a recent Liberty game about her journey from a young scout to the woman and WNBA player she is today.

Swords also assisted City Harvest’s Greenmarket Rescue in Union Square, helping fill trucks with nearly 9,000 pounds of excess food from farmers to be delivered to community programs across the five boroughs.  City Harvest regularly delivers food to food pantries and soup kitchens across New York City, helping feed the nearly 1.4 million people battling hunger each year.

“Basketball has granted me an incredible opportunity to encourage the next generation to dream big and work toward their goals,” said Swords.  “I am grateful for these chances to serve the community and to be a positive role model.”

The WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm is awarded monthly during the season to the player who best reflects the WNBA’s passion to make a difference in the community.  In recognition of Swords’ efforts, the WNBA and State Farm will make a $7,500 donation to support both the Garden of Dreams Foundation and Hopey’s Heart Foundation.

Please visit http://www.wnba.com/statefarmcommunityassist/ for more information on the award and its recipients.