A SCHOOL FOR IQBAL

JANUARY 2001 Campaign UPDATE

Celtics Recognize the
"Heroes Among Us"

New England is home to many individuals who have made an overwhelming impact on our community, positively affecting the lives of others. For the fourth season, the Boston Celtics will recognize an individual or individuals at each home game who have made a special contribution.

Here are the 2000-01 "Heroes Among Us":

December 18, 2000

Ron Adams - (pictured with Antoine Walker and Michael Finley) In 1994, students in Ron Adams' Broad Meadows Middle School classroom met a 12- year old former child slave from Pakistan. Angered that slavery still existed, his students organized students from all 50 states to raise $147,000 to establish a school for former child slaves in Pakistan. To share lessons learned building the school, his students helped co-found a national, student run project called Operation Day's Work-USA. Students perform ONE DAY of community service to raise the funds to bring an educational project to children in a developing country. Over 700 Quincy students have been involved in these global projects.

Other "Heroes Among Us" can be viewed by clicking on :
http://www.nba.com/celtics/heroes_0001.html

Thank you to the Boston Celtics for recognizing the efforts made by the thousands of concerned people in the "School for Iqbal" campaign, both those online and in person, who have teamed up (like the Celtics do) to lift poor, working children up through education, micro-credit loans, legislation, corporate responsibility and consumer awareness. During the second quarter of the Celtics / Mavericks game at the Fleet Center, the announcer called the "School for Iqbal" teacher advisor out of the stands and on to the court. The announcer read a summary of the "School for Iqbal" campaign. The crowd listened and applauded! Basketball fans paused and switched instantly from "entertainment" mode to "education" mode as the Boston Celtics' announcer and Jumbotron screen told the story of this campaign. Prior to the game, the captains of both teams congratulated this campaign and posed for the photo above.

Does your favorite NBA team have a similar program of recognizing local people who are trying to change the world a little?

You might be wondering, what was it like to be called out of the stands and onto the Boston Celtics' famous parquay floor DURING a Celtics' game? This letter explains:

Dear Meghan Wright and Wayne Levy of the Boston Celtics,

Thank you both for the planning and the implementation of last night's awesome "Heroes Among Us" celebration.
I now speak from experience, the Celtics' local recognition program is truly world class.

     I was overwhelmed to be in such company as evidenced by the book of community "heroes" that Wayne shared with me
     before the game. I am truly grateful and humbled to now be listed among such unselfish, team builders. If my
     history is correct, that unselfish characteristic and team concept are keys in what made the Celts the World Champs.

Thanks for demostrating that team first principle.

     Awards only have meaning when they can be shared with teammates. You both made it possible for my teammates to be
     there last night. I'll never forget last night; I know my sons never will either. Last night, on the Celtics'
     fabled parquay floor, my sons witnessed some family history being made. They saw their dad double teammed by two
     team captains, but all three standing as one, in celebration of doing good for others, especially for poor,
     working children.

Thanks for making it possible for 20 of my fabulous students and fellow teachers to be there last night. Thanks
for inviting my sons and my wife.

     As Wayne knows, I have been a Celts balcony fan since Bob Cousy's days. However, last night, my sons became Celtics
     fans. I have a feeling the crowd there last night including my sons will never look at a Celtics' home game the same.
     Their dad and the "School for Iqbal" campaign are now a part of their Celtics' memories.

     As for my students, they had a blast at the game and felt very much included in all of the celebrating. One even
     caught a flying t-shirt; all danced wildly on the Jumbotron. They were looking forward to telling everyone at school
     all about the night the Celtics honored the work they are doing for children everywhere.

Thank you, Meghan,

Thank you, Wayne,

Ron Adams, December 18, 2000 "Hero"

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