NEW YORK – Washington Wizards point guard John Wall has received the 2015-16 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente in recognition of his many charitable efforts and yearlong dedication to community outreach, the NBA announced today.  The award recognizes an NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities, following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.

Owner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Ted Leonsis, NBA Cares Ambassador Bob Lanier and Kaiser Permanente Senior Director of External Affairs Maritha Gay will present Wall with the award at Bright Beginnings Inc. (BBI) tomorrow afternoon in Washington, D.C.  Kaiser Permanente and the NBA will also donate $25,000 to the John Wall Family Foundation.

Following the award presentation, Wall and attendees will participate in a community service project at Bright Beginnings Inc., a non-profit that offers education, shelter and meals to homeless children and their parents.  Earlier this year Wall surprised BBI with a generous donation to support programming and a new facility, and he recently received their Champions for Children Award honoring his commitment to the health and welfare of children and families.

In addition to his efforts with BBI, Wall worked to make a difference for those in need throughout local communities this season.  After his friend, 5-year-old DaMiyah Telemaque-Nelson, lost her battle with Burkitt’s lymphoma, Wall sponsored the “Miyah’s Troupe” walking team, and joined DaMiyah’s family in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk in D.C.

In partnership with the John Wall Family Foundation, Wall funded the Passport to Manhood Program at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, which teaches adolescent boys responsibility, leadership and the importance of giving back through community service projects.  He also hosted various Wizards Make-A-Wish nights, and his second “FITTED” Prom Project, where he provided ten high school seniors with suits and accessories for their upcoming proms.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the 2016 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner and would like to thank all the fans and my many friends who voted for me on social media,” said Wall.  “I am privileged to be in a position to better my communities in both Washington and Raleigh and I consider the outreach that I do to be the most rewarding part of being an NBA player.”

The award was voted on by fans and an NBA panel of judges.  To learn more, please visit http://www.nba.com/communityassist/.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care.  We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans.  Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.  We currently serve more than 10.6 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia.  Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers.  Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management.  Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: kp.org/share.

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