Brooklyn Blizzards and NYPD Family Fun Day, Brownsville, August 8, 2008
FCRC joined the Brooklyn Blizzards at the Howard Houses in Brownsville for "Fun Day".  Former Nets great Darryl Dawkins joined in on the fun by signing autographs for fans young and old.  Forest City Ratner gave out Nets drawstring bags, Devin Harris growth charts, Nets water bottles, and key chains for everyone to enjoy.  All who attended were welcome to take part in the basketball free throw contest. Councilwomen Darlene Mealy spoke to the children about neighborhood crime awareness and even participated in the free-throw contest herself!

Read to Achieve, Brookdale Hospital, Brownsville, July 31, 2008
FCRC and the Nets added another stop to their popular "Read to Achieve" tour -- the childrens' out-patient clinic of Brookdale Hospital. New York State Senator Carl Kruger spoke to the children about the importance of reading and education while former NBA Nets legend Albert King and Nets Mascot Mini-Sly Fox read and acted out the book I’ll Teach my Dog 100 Words. The kids were excited when Albert and Mini-Sly performed various scenes from the book. At the end of the event FCRC and the Nets presented an autographed Nets basketball from Albert King and Mini-Sly to Brookdale Hospital.

Relay for Life, Bay Ridge, June 21, 2008
Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge neighborhood hosted the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life event to fight cancer June 21. The event raises funds to provide research grants that have funded more than 38 Nobel Prize winners. The Forest City Cougars along with the Fort Hamilton High School Cheerleaders, participated in the event to honor the survivors and victims of the disease.

“Celebrating the Stars of the Community,” Boerum Hill, June 19, 2008
FCRC helped sponsor the “Celebrating the Stars of the Community” dinner at Wyckoff Gardens Center in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. The event was created to show appreciation to the seniors and teens in the public-housing community. Four seniors were acknowledged for their activities outside the local neighborhood and for their attendance at all in-house meetings. Several teens were acknowledged for their dedication to the community at Atlantic Terminal Houses as well as for their potential to be assets to the community in the future.

Seventh Heaven Street Festival, Park Slope, June 15, 2008
FCRC and the Nets continued their successful run of street fairs with the Seventh Heaven Street Festival in Park Slope. Despite on-and-off downpours, the weather did not swamp anyone’s fun. Both young and old festival-goers shot basketballs in the hope of winning an assortment of Nets prizes, and those too young to shoot were treated to Nets balloons and keychains. Former Nets great Darryl Dawkins made an appearance, signing autographs for both lifelong and new fans.

Children of the City Spring Carnival, Sunset Park, June 14, 2008
On Saturday, June 14, Forest City Ratner Companies joined the fun and excitement at the Children of the City Annual Spring Carnival in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood. A mini Nets basketball hoop gave adults and children alike a chance to win a Nets T-shirt, Frisbee or water bottle. FCRC also provided a Fun House Slide for the kids to play on. Nearly 400 people enjoyed the various carnival-style game booths, and everybody left with a smile.

Read to Achieve, P.S. 222, Marine Park, May 23, 2008
P.S. 222 welcomed FCRC and the Nets to their library to hold the last Read to Achieve of the 2007-08 school year. State Senator Martin Golden attended and led the classes in a chant that the entire school could hear: “Reading Is Achieving, Reading Is Achieving!” Senator Golden also spoke about a certificate that students can receive from the New York State Senate if they read at least three books during the summer. Nets great Albert King and mascot Sly Fox read and performed I’ll Teach My Dog 100 Words by Michael Frith, and received a standing ovation. At the end of the event, Senator Golden, Albert King and Sly Fox presented P.S. 222 with an autographed basketball. Each student received a bag full of fun to take home, courtesy of FCRC and the Nets.

Read to Achieve, P.S. 315, Flatbush, May 22, 2008
Read to Achieve continued its successful run through Brooklyn on Thursday, May 22, in the beautiful library of P.S. 315 in Flatbush. Former Nets great Albert King shared his feelings on reading with two classes. Nets mascot Sly Fox acted out the book I’ll Teach My Dog 100 Words by Michael Frith, including all the students in the crowd. All the children received Nets pencil cases, snacks, Nets stickers, keychains and a copy of I’ll Teach My Dog 100 Words. The students also received an autographed picture of Sly Fox. Forest City Ratner Companies and the Nets were welcomed with signs posted around the school that showed pictures of Albert and the Nets. Albert and Sly were even lucky enough to meet the student government of the school, who expressed great appreciation on behalf of P.S. 315.

Read to Achieve, P.S. 397, Crown Heights, May 16, 2008
FCRC and the Nets continued their journey through the world of reading and hosted a Read to Achieve event at P.S. 397 in Crown Heights. Albert King read I’ll Teach My Dog 100 Words by Michael Frith as Nets mascot Sly Fox entertained the children by acting out the book, convulsing everyone in laughter, including the teachers. State Assemblyman Karim Camara not only spoke to the students about how essential it is to read, but also stole the show from Albert and Sly as he juggled for the kids. All of the second-grade students left with a bag of goodies, including a copy of the book that was read by Albert.

Read to Achieve, P.S. 207, Marine Park, May 15, 2008
On Thursday, May 15, Forest City Ratner Companies and the Nets hit the classrooms, as they brought Read to Achieve to an elementary school, P.S. 207, in Brooklyn’s Marine Park neighborhood. The school was kind enough to vacate its gymnasium for the event, in which two second-grade classes participated. Albert King, former Nets great, read I’ll Teach My Dog 100 Words by Michael Frith. Nets mascot Sly Fox also showed up and acted out the entire book as Albert read. City Councilman Lewis Fidler graciously stopped by and gave a speech about the importance of reading. Councilman Fidler, Albert King and Sly Fox presented Principal Mary Bosco with an autographed basketball. Dr. Debra Getman, the literacy coach at P.S. 207, who helped organize the event, spoke of how wonderful it was to have the text come alive for the children. It was a fun day for everyone.

Age in Action, Flushing Meadows Park, May 8, 2008
FCRC and the Nets participated in the Sixth Annual Age in Action program in Corona Park Flushing Meadows in Queens. The event, which celebrates seniors and their many accomplishments, included dance competitions, music and art activities, and also featured resources that promote staying healthy. FCRC and the Nets staffed a booth where a basketball game was set up for seniors to take their best shot to win prizes. Free-throw participants walked away with a Nets Frisbee or an environmentally friendly Nets tote bag and everyone who stopped by the booth got a Nets keychain. There was also a water station courtesy of FCRC and the Nets where seniors could rest and have a drink. The NETSational Senior Dancers performed and tossed Brooklyn Nets T-shirts to people in the crowd.

FCRC and the Nets also provided transportation to the Age in Action event for the seniors of Brevoort Senior Center in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Council Member Darlene Mealy dropped by to greet the seniors and see them off in a coach bus on their fun-filled day. The seniors received Nets tote bags as well.

Brooklyn Blizzards' Annual Talent Show, Saturday, April 26, 2008
FCRC and the Nets showed their support for the Brooklyn Blizzards Youth Organization by sponsoring the food for its Annual Talent Show at George Wingate High School in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. Seventeen groups of children from all five boroughs demonstrated varied and impressive talents in performances that ranged from dancing and singing to limbo. Several community workers and local politicians received awards for their hard work and dedication to the Brooklyn Blizzards. They included State Senator Eric Adams; State Assemblyman Karim Camara; City Councilman David Yassky; Brooklyn Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham; Evangeline Porter of the 77th Precinct Community Council; 77th Precinct Community Affairs Officer Sacha Pierre-Louis; Deputy Inspector Jeffrey Maddrey, commanding officer of the 73rd Precinct; Patricia Dean, Director of the Brownsville Heritage House; as well as two of FCRC’s own, Thomas Tuffey, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, and Ronnie Worthen Jr.

Read to Achieve, Crown Heights, March 15, 2008
FCRC and the Nets teamed up with State Senator Eric Adams and the Crown Heights Youth Collective to hold our first “Read to Achieve” event for 2008. The event was held at Brooklyn’s Emma L. Johnston School, also known as P.S. 241. The 50 children who attended the lively session were treated to special appearances by Nets great Albert King, community activist Richard Green and Senator Adams. Each guest spoke to the kids about the merits of reading and its importance as an avenue to their current positions in life. FCRC provided snacks, books and a giveaway to each child as well as a book contribution to the Crown Heights Youth Collective Library.

P.S. 312 Bergen Beach School Carnival, Friday, February 8, 2008
FCRC and the Nets participated in P.S. 312’s annual carnival along with over 500 students, their families and teachers. The school carnival in Brooklyn’s Bergen Beach neighborhood featured games, food and even music to dance to or sing along with, courtesy of a DJ. FCRC and the Nets set up a booth where everyone could try their hand at miniature basketball for a chance to win a Frisbee or pencil case. All who gave it their best shot walked away with a basketball keychain. State Assemblyman Alan Maisel also attended the event.

Nets Mascot Sly Fox was also on hand doing what he does best - getting the children excited - leading Christmas carols and helping to pick out toys. The toy donation not only helped the Bushwick Community Center, but four other Salvation Army centers as well; Bay Ridge, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville and Sunset Park. In total, over 1,000 Brooklyn children received gifts in time for the holidays.

Atlantic Center Hanukkah Party, December 9, 2007
On Sunday, December 9, Atlantic Center lit up with excitement during its annual Hanukkah party. Partygoers were treated to the traditional Hanukkah delicacies: potato latkes and jelly doughnuts. Children clutched balloons, which had been twisted into entertaining shapes by a clown on stilts, as they had their faces painted. They also enjoyed various arts and crafts, including edible art, which let them savor their masterpieces by munching on them. At 3:45 the party came to a close with singing and the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah.

Holiday Pajama Jamboree at PS 67, December 7, 2007
The children of PS 67 in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood got an early taste of  Christmas morning at their Holiday Pajama Jamboree. All were dressed in their favorite pajama outfit and were greeted by Santa Claus in the school cafeteria after classes ended for the day. Santa sat beside a beautiful Christmas tree and tons of beautifully wrapped presents courtesy of Forest City Ratner Companies. The children talked to Santa, and each one picked out a present. All enjoyed themselves as Santa and FCRC helped spread holiday cheer.

Thanksgiving Dinner, Union Baptist Church, Bedford-Stuyvesant, November 16, 2007
Former Nets basketball stars Albert King and Darryl Dawkins joined volunteers from FCRC, U.S. Representative Edolphus Towns, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and the Brooklyn community to serve a special Thanksgiving dinner to those in need at the Union Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Everyone was in a festive mood at the prospect of a fine feast. The kitchen volunteers did a crackerjack job supplying vast quantities of delicious food, and the servers cheerfully ladled out hundreds of meals. Albert and Darryl eventually took a break from serving and signed autographs for their many fans.

The dinner was provided by FCRC, and the event was coordinated by U.S. Representative Edolphus Towns (10th Congressional District of Brooklyn), the Union Baptist Church and Rev. Melony Samuels, director of the Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger and pastor at the Full Gospel Tabernacle of Faith Church.  In total, Forest City Ratner donated over $15,000 to the two churches to help sustain their soup kitchens and food pantries through the holiday season.

ING NYC Marathon Sunday Festival, November 4, 2007
FCRC and the Nets showed their support for the ING New York City Marathon by setting up a street festival booth in front of the Atlantic Terminal Mall, along the race route. Once spectators were done cheering themselves hoarse, they wandered over to the booth and enjoyed the free (and highly talented) services of a face painter and a balloon artist, not to mention fingerprint ID kits for children and a free-throw contest for chidlren of all ages. Former Nets great Albert King and Nets mascot Sly Fox entertained everyone on this lovely Sunday.

FutureSafe Event, Sunset Park, October 20, 2007
FCRC was proud to sponsor Children of the City’s FutureSafe session at Resurrection Church in Sunset Park on October 20. About 200 people, including 175 children ages 4 to 16, attended the festive event and took part in games, crafts, a raffle and other fun activities. FCRC handed out free Nets T-shirts to all the kids. Parents participated in workshops designed to give them tools to help their children deal with social and educational challenges. FutureSafe, an organization focused on detering children from drug abuse, delinquency, gang involvement and teen pregnancy, engages children in structured after-school activities that teach them about health and education.

“Stop the Violence,” East New York, October 13, 2007
FCRC and the Nets joined the Brooklyn DA’s office and several community organizations to celebrate the Coalition for Unity Against Guns, Drugs and Violence’s charity event to “Stop the Violence” on Saturday, October 13, 2007. Nets legend Albert King was on hand to sign autographs and give basketball tips. Face painting, ID kits and basketball shooting contests were free to everyone who stopped by the FCRC booth. Portions of the proceeds from the event benefited NYCHA Tenants Association.

Cyclones “Nets Night” at Keyspan Park, September 1, 2007
It may not be their sport of choice, but ex-Nets teammates Albert King and Darryl Dawkins banded together to toss out the first pitches at “Nets Night” at KeySpan Park. Albert, Darryl and the Nets/FCRC crew handed out giveaways to the Brooklyn fans who came to see the Cyclones game. The first 2,000 people who entered the park received Nets water bottles and book bags, and the children also received hot-off-the-presses Nets pencil cases to get them ready for school. Brooklyn Nets T-shirts were thrown to the crowd during inning breaks, and FCRC also purchased 1,000 Cyclones tickets to distribute to our Brooklyn friends, including community groups, elected-official organizations and youth athletic leagues.

West Indian American Day Back to School Concert and Junior Carnival, August 31-September 1, 2007
Kids and adults alike reveled in the last weekend of summer vacation at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) events over Labor Day weekend. The “Back to School Concert” on Friday, August 31, and the Junior Carnival on September 1 were held at the Brooklyn Museum parking lot. FCRC helped sponsor the weekend event for the second year in a row–bringing along former Nets greats Albert King and Darryl Dawkins; Mona, the ever-popular face painter; and Fingerprint Larry, with ID kits for children. There was something for everyone with our free-throw contest and Nets giveaways.

Brighton Beach Jubilee Street Festival, August 26, 2007
For the second year, FCRC traveled to Brighton Beach for the annual Brighton Beach Jubilee, a street festival that runs on Brighton Beach Avenue from Corbin Place to Brightwater Court. Firebird Consulting, a Russian community organization, was present to help translate and hand out English/Russian fliers describing the Atlantic Yards development to the community. Former Net Darryl Dawkins was present to sign autographs and pose for pictures with members of the Brighton Beach community. Nets mascot Sly Fox also stopped by the festival, and children and adults alike were able to take their best shot in our annual basketball competition.

Crown Heights Old Timers Annual Family Day, Lincoln Terrace Park, Crown Heights, August 25, 2007
FCRC supported Council Member Darlene Mealy at the Crown Heights Old Timers Family Event this year by sponsoring a children’s ride and kids’ ID kits, all free to the community. We distributed Nets giveaways, including Frisbees, water bottles and book bags, and sponsored “Old Timer’s” T-shirts for the attendees.

Fort Greene Block Party, August 18, 2007
FCRC joined Fort Greene Volunteers President Mark Knox to provide residents with the opportunity to meet their neighbors as well as a chance to enjoy games, contests and free food at the Carlton Avenue Block Party, between Myrtle and Park avenues. FCRC set up tents and basketball hoops, then kids and parents alike lined up all day to take their best shot. Besides distributing information and giveaways, we had the special honor of bringing Fort Greene native and retired Nets player Albert King back to his old stomping ground, where he saw old friends and inspired today’s upcoming ball players.

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The NETSational Senior Dancers wowed the crowd with their routines and stuck around to judge dance contests and award prizes. FCRC sponsored water stations, hosted a basketball shooting contest, and transported and provided lunch for over 50 seniors from Fort Greene. Nets mascot Sly Fox also stopped by to join in the fun.