The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non-profit charity that closely partners with all areas of Madison Square Garden, including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Entertainment, MSG Media and fuse, with a commitment to making dreams come true for kids in crisis.

Throughout the season, the New York Knicks and the Garden of Dreams Foundation work on a variety of community projects and events with the goal of making a difference in the lives of children and families facing difficult circumstances.

For more information on the Garden of Dreams Foundation, please visit www.gardenofdreamsfoundation.org

Knicks Poetry Slam was created in 2003 to reach today's high school youth by using the popularity of hip-hop and poetry as a vehicle to motivate and inspire expression through the written and spoken word. With the growth of the program, the Knicks and program partner Urban Word NYC have provided greater opportunities for high school students to use their poetic skills and talents to pursue higher education. The program serves over 10,000 students annually through school site visits, a Poetry Open Audition, a College Fair, workshops and Poetry Slams.

The Knicks Poetry Slam Program is broken up into two contests, spoken word and written. The 2008-2009 Program will provide more than $200,000 in college grants and prizes. Please visit knickspoetryslam.com for more info.

"Knicks Read to Achive @ powertolearn.com" literacy program is a partnership between the New York Knicks and Cablevision's Power to Learn initiative designed to promote reading and literacy in tri-state area schools. The program encourages reading and comprehension through the use of incentives to motivate students to reach reading goals and supports these efforts with interactive videos and the Internet, a natural partnership and extension of existing Knicks Cablevision's Power to Learn initiatives. Classes that participated in the program received tickets to attend Knicks game throughout the season. For more information visit powertolearn.com

Each season, several Knicks players purchase community sections in Madison Square Garden and donate tickets for that section to local community groups that normally would not have the opportunity to see a Knicks game, including groups from the Garden of Dreams community.

If you would like to be included in the Knicks Community Group database and be added to the waiting list for donated tickets, please send an email to KnicksCR@thegarden.com.

The Sweetwater Clifton "City Spirit" Award is named in honor of Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, the first African-American to play for the Knicks, recognizes those who have made a significant difference in the lives of others. Each month, a winner is chosen by members of the Knicks front office staff and honored at center court of a Knicks game. Winners receive a $2,000 donation in their name to a charity of their choice from the New York Knicks.

To nominate your hero, click here to submit a nomination.

The New York Knicks community outreach programs focus on assisting tri-state area children in crisis situations. Partnered with the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the Knicks players, staff, and volunteers help to make dreams come true for children in crisis. The Knicks will review and consider requests from organizations with similar goals. Please be aware that in order to fulfill as many requests as possible, we can only consider requests for autographed merchandise to be used to support fund-raising initiatives (raffles or auctions) that benefit children in crisis. Due to demand of requests received, we are unable to donate tickets, contribute monetarily, purchase event sponsorship signage, or donate bulk amounts of promotional items.

To be considered for donation request, please adhere to the following submission criteria:

• Requestors must be charitable organizations (501 C3 organizations)
• Within a 75-mile radius of Madison Square Garden.
• All donation requests must be submitted in writing at least eight (8) weeks prior to the fundraising event. No telephone, fax, or email requests will be accepted. Written requests must be sent on official letterhead with the following information included:
  
  
  • Organization Name and full address (no P.O. Boxes)
  • Event date, time, and location
  • Event description including organization who benefits
  • Contact name, phone number, and email
  • Item Requested (Photo, Ball, Jersey)/How the item will be used (raffle or auction)
  • Publication deadline/item needed by date
  • Any additional information on event/organization that you feel necessary (Event Audience Size)
  
  
  
• Requestors are required to cover the shipping cost on any autographed memorabilia (photocards excluded). A Knicks representative will follow up on all accepted to request for shipment payment (Fed Ex/UPS Account # or Credit Card).

All requests will be considered on case-by-case basis and every request will be responded to, whether approved or declined. The inability to fulfill a request is based on the above criteria, the number of requests received, and our inventory of items.

Unfortunately, due to the number of requests received annually, the New York Knicks are unable to fulfill requests described below:

• Items requested for personal use
• Requests requiring the contribution to any business or organizational rewards programs
• Requests to donate to individuals, groups or organizations soliciting donations on behalf of a third party (e.g. Non-profit walks or runs)
• Multiple donations to the same organization within a given year

Please address requests to:
New York Knicks
Community Relations Department
2 Penn Plaza - 14th Floor
New York, NY 10121

Due to the volume of requests received for alumni appearances, requests for a New York Knicks alumnus will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There are a limited number of Knicks' alumni available for appearances in the tri-state area. Please also note that alumni appearances may require an appearance fee and/or transportation to and from the event. If you would like to request an alumnus for your event, please adhere to follow guidelines:

• Organization Name and full address (no P.O. Boxes)
• Event type, date, time, and location
• Event description including organization who benefits
• Contact name, address, phone number, and email
• Specific Alumnus Requested
• Alumnus' Participation in the Event (including lengthy of time, speaking or presentation needs and/or hosting duties)
• List of sponsors
• List of celebrity guests
• Deadline to confirm Alumnus
• Any additional information on event/organization that would inform the alumnus on the details of the event (e.g. audience size, ticket price, dress attire, etc.)

Please address requests to:
New York Knicks
Community Relations Department
2 Penn Plaza - 14th Floor
New York, NY 10121

The summer of 2008 marked the 17th-year anniversary of the Knicks Summer Basketball Camp, presented by Gatorade and Zipway. Campers had the opportunity to meet several Knicks and NBA players. David Lee, Nate Robinson, Wilson Chandler, Zach Randolph and Quentin Richardson, along with Phoenix Suns star Steve Nash and Chicago Bulls forward Joakim Noah all have made appearances in recent years. Additionally, former Knicks John Starks, Allan Houston and Herb Williams appeared throughout the summer.

For more information on how you can enroll your child in the Knicks Summer Basketball Camp, click here.

During the year, the Knicks Groove Truck is out and about on the streets of New York City looking for basketball fans of all ages!

The NYK Groove Truck presented by Capital One Bank, drives the excitement of the Knicks to both community and private events for basketball clinics, skill competitions, XBOX 360 video game tournaments and free throw and 3-point shooting contests with cool Knicks prizes! The 2008-09 Groove Truck will be appearing at street fairs, schools, basketball tournaments and other events to bring excitement and show Knicks support for community events.

RENT THE GROOVE TRUCK!

The Groove Truck is also available for private events, birthday parties and all special occasions. So if you are planning a special event and would like to book the NYK Groove Truck to make an appearance, please call now!

If you would like more information regarding the NYK Groove Truck appearing at your event, please call (212) 465 - 6661.

Knicks Basketball Clinics create an opportunity for basketball fans to participate and learn the concepts of Knicks basketball at borough playgrounds, local basketball courts and recreation centers. Clinics focus on helping athletes improve their skills and develop their overall basketball game by teaching basic practice drills and emphasizing the fundamentals.

For more information on how you can book a Knicks Basketball Clinic, please contact Chris Sloan at (212) 465-4103.

The New York Rollin' Knicks are a testament to the true reaches of basketball, sportsmanship, determination and commitment. Since its inception in 1998, the New York Rollin' Knicks have held many exhibitions games at Madison Square Garden, Nassau Coliseum, Hartford Civic Center, St. John's University, as well as many other venues and in front of as many as 20,000 people. The New York Rollin' Knicks finished the 2007-2008 season with a 20-11 overall record and 9-0 in Division play, and for the sixth year straight, the Rollin' Knicks won the Eastern Division.

Rollin' Knicks 2008-09 Team Info