Feb 18, 2025 | NBA, Los Angeles, Sports, Valleys

NBA Cares Partners on Renovations at Bret Harte Elementary

On Friday, Feb. 14, the NBA, NBPA, and the Golden State Warriors teamed up with local volunteers—including current and former NBA players, employees, and legends—to unveil beautifully refurbished Bay Area elementary schools. With the support of local business partners, they collaborated with the Golden State Warriors to introduce an exciting renovation to the gymnasium at Bret Harte Elementary School. The refreshed gym now boasts new hoops, equipment, lighting, and flooring, bringing joy and a sense of pride to the community.

Photo credit to Cameron Buford of Voice of the Fans

By Cameron Buford with Voice of the Fans

“We are so excited to host the NBA All Star game in the Bay Area. We’ve partnered with the Heart of America, and the Golden State Warriors and they’ve renovated our gym,” said Bret Harte Elementary School principal Jeremy Hilinski. “Our gym was in a really big need of a make over and it is just awesome. The kids just love it!”

“We did the playground and the soccer field outside. We take physical activity and PE at elementary schools really important. Giving the kids a great place to run around and burn off that energy,” principal Hilinski added with excitement. “This is so great for staff morale. These types of things make the kids come alive and that brings us so much joy, excitement, and energy in the profession.”

In addition to unveiling a renovated gym, playground and soccer field, members of the San Francisco Library attended the event to give student books to start their own libraries at home. Vision to Learn is another partner that was in attendance at the introduction of the kids’ new surroundings.

“Vision to Learn is a non-profit charity to help kids who are attending school see clearly because they don’t have prescription glasses,” Vision to Learn’s Damien Carroll shared. “One out of four kids need glasses, but in a lot of communities, a majority of kids who needs glasses goes without.”

Photo credit to Cameron Buford of Voice of the Fans

The students at Bret Harte Elementary were not only treated with new amenities at their school, they were fortunate to hear from an NBA legend, the NBA’s commissioner and the Mayor of San Francisco.

“Sports has a unique ability to bring us together, and we are living through a time where many people want to divide us,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “When we walk into Chase, or we walk into an elementary school gym and we watch our heroes like Draymond (Green) or Steph (Curry). We walk in and are all united, and sports has that magical power.”

“This is the absolute favorite part of my job,” says NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We get involved with programs like this, where we can leave a lasting legacy in the community.”

“I was a kid that came from a similar background to where you all come from. I actually wasn’t fortunate enough to have the NBA donate a gymnasium. So, the gym that reminded me of this gym had bubbles on the floor and you learned how to play around them,” Golden State Warriors four-time NBA Champion Draymond Green shared. “But that gym saved my life, and brought me to a place like San Francisco, that I could never imagine.”

It’s clear that this investment in the community they play in will create new fans as they conduct worthwhile work. These initiatives also enable their partners to shine as they provide additional tools to improve the life of those living in these specific communities. It is for these united efforts, that I think everyone involved should be applauded.

Please share your thoughts with me on X at https://x.com/whatsgoodnsport