NEW YORK – Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine has received the April NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente in recognition of his outstanding work with the Metro Deaf School (MDS) in St. Paul, Minn., the NBA announced today.  The award recognizes an NBA player each month who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities.

Kaiser Permanente and the NBA are honoring LaVine for his charitable efforts and yearlong dedication to the children of MDS.  LaVine was driven to work with the deaf and hearing impaired after excelling in his high school American Sign Language (ASL) class.  Last month LaVine donated $10,000 to the school, completing a much-needed new kitchen space.  Spending quality time with the students on his many visits, LaVine has also delivered healthy breakfasts to each classroom, and hosted a winter-themed party with snacks and arts and crafts during the holidays.

Recognizing his community efforts, LaVine was chosen to present the Heroes For Change Award at the 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards, honoring two young fans for their positive impact on their communities.

“After learning ASL, I realized that I had a unique opportunity to impact the lives of those in the deaf community,” said LaVine.  “It’s been great coming to the Metro Deaf School and being able to connect with all the kids, and help build their confidence.”

Next season, NBA Cares Ambassador Bob Lanier and a Kaiser Permanente representative will present LaVine with the David Robinson Plaque during an oncourt ceremony.  In addition, Kaiser Permanente and the NBA will donate $10,000 on LaVine’s behalf to the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund.

LaVine’s win marks the end of the monthly awards and the beginning of fan voting for the 2015-16 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente.  Along with an NBA panel of judges, fans can vote for their favorite nominee through May 18 via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #NBACommunityAssist and #PlayerFirstNameLastName (e.g., #ZachLaVine).

The seasonlong nominees include past monthly winners Carmelo Anthony, Mike Conley, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Zach LaVine, Victor Oladipo, John Wall and three additional nominees, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Damian Lillard, who have all made notable contributions to their communities.  The NBA and Kaiser Permanente will donate $25,000 to the winner’s charity of choice.

Nominees for the 2015-16 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award  presented by Kaiser Permanente 

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.