The Miami HEAT announced today that it will unveil the renovation of its 13th Miami HEAT Learn & Play Center tomorrow, March 11th from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Miami HEAT players Michael Beasley and Greg Oden will join a host of dignitaries at Branches located at 11500 N.W. 12th Avenue in Miami. Alongside presenting sponsor and longtime HEAT community partner Florida Blue, the HEAT will renovate the reading room and computer lab and enhance the room with new paint, wall graphics, Samsung Galaxy tablets, and furniture. This unveiling is part of the franchise’s ongoing commitment to improving the South Florida community.
The following attendees will join Beasley and Oden at the unveiling:
- Michael McCullough, Executive Vice President & CMO, The HEAT Group
- Michael Baiamonte, Miami HEAT In-Game Announcer (Emcee)
- The Miami HEAT Dancers & Burnie
- Patrick J. Geraghty – Chairman and CEO, Florida Blue
- Penny Shaffer, South Florida Market President, Florida Blue
- Brent McLaughlin, Executive Director, Branches
- Miami-Dade County Deputy Mayor, Russell Benford
- Jean Monestime, Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 2
A press conference will kick off the event followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Afterward, HEAT players and sponsors will interact with the students who are affiliated with Branches in the new HEATLearn & Play Center.
This Learn & Play Center unveiling represents the latest activity from the Miami HEAT under the “NBA Cares” initiative. The 12 other existing HEAT Learn & Play Centers are located at:
HEAT Academy @ Little River Elementary (2006)
Community Partnership for Homeless (2007)
HEAT Academy @ Riverside Elementary (2007)
Bucky Dent Gymnasium (2008)
His House Children’s Home (2009)
Miami Rescue Mission (2010)
Grapeland Park Recreational Building (2011)
HEAT Academy @ Dunbar Elementary (2011)
Shake-A-Leg Miami (2012)
Miami Springs Community Center (2012)
Chapman Partnership (2013)
Joe Celestin Center (2013)