The Delaware 87ers and Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children announced an partnership on Wednesday that will be centered around youth literacy.

With their partnership, the 87ers will be able use their new Read87 reading program which encourages kids to read at home and school.  Nemours will select two schools from the 87ers reading program and along with the Sevens will go there monthly and tell kids the importance of reading. Also, they will hand out free books at every visit. Nemours and the Sevens will be visiting  Richardson Park and Elbert-Palmer elementary school to start the partnership off.

The Sevens and Nemours are set to give out of 10,000 books this season which includes on Sevens Education Day games on February 7 and March 22.

By 2018-2019, this partnership is expected to give out over 50,000 to kids in the state of Delaware.

The Sevens President Larry Meli said this about the partnership between the two organizations:

Our friends at Nemours turned us on to the fact that youth literacy is one of the single greatest predictors of adult health status,” said Sevens President Larry Meli. “Therefore, we are thrilled to have this opportunity to use the power of basketball to get students excited about reading. Together with Nemours, we are looking forward to making an immediate and lasting impression on Delaware’s kids and their families.”

Paul D. Kempinski, President of  Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children commented about the importance of reading.

 

Reading is one of the most important skills for success in school and life. We at Nemours are thrilled to partner with the Delaware 87ers, a local organization as committed as we are to promoting youth literacy,” said Paul D. Kempinski, MS, FACHE, President, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

 

The partnership also sets up the Sevens annual Hoops Clinic that will debut in  Summer 2017.The two day clinic will host patients and their families and other youth groups in the area. The clinic will focus on preventive medicine.

 

The Sevens will also host Star Wars night on January 6, 2017 to help benefit Nemours patients  and their families.  The Sevens will wear customized Star Wars jerseys and then will auction them off after the game for proceeds to benefit Nemours.