Bronx, NY, August 23, 2011 -  With a focus on promoting reading and literacy, the New York Knicks and Power to Learn brought the Knicks Read to Achieve @powertolearn.com 2011 Summer Reading Program, presented by Kia Motors to the Baychester Community Center in an event that blended story-time and all-star athletics. Kia Motors is the Official Vehicle of the New York Knicks.

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At the event, Executive Director for the Baychester Youth Council Earnestine Russell, introduced Cablevision's Director of Education Evelyn Cruise, who spoke to the children, parents and attending guests about the importance of reading.  Assemblyman Carl Heastie and former NBA superstar John Starks, who hit more than 1,000 three-pointers in his career, also spoke about literacy and achievement.  Assemblyman Heastie and Starks then read aloud from Graham Salisbury's popular book, Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet. Following the read-along, the children took part in an interactive "Knicks Postcard Club" quiz about the book to test their comprehension skills. They then qualified for a raffle to earn exciting Knicks and Power to Learn prizes, were able to get John Starks' autograph on their copy of the book. 

"My hat goes off to Cablevision, the New York Knicks and Kia Motors for today's innovative and engaging literacy event," said Assemblyman Heastie. "The amount of reading done outside of school is consistently related to gains in scholastic achievement.  Summer reading enables students to maintain educational advances when not in school.  Add to that the excitement of meeting a sports superstar and you've got a winning combination."

Executive Director Earnestine Russell noted, "Summer is a great time for children to have fun reading.  This inspiring event from Cablevision did just that, while helping to instill a love of books from an early age."

"With a firm belief that literacy is an essential ingredient for success, Kia Motors is pleased to present the Knicks Read to Achieve @powertolearn.com Summer Reading Event for the fifth consecutive year," said Tim Chaney, director, marketing communications, KMA.  "Motivating children to read through events such as this has the potential to open the door to lifelong achievement."