With the help of the Florida Flame—the NBA’s development team, there’s now a teen lounge at the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. It’s a place where young adults coping with the stress of illness can find some respite. Commissioner of the National Basketball Association—David Stern – and several players – dedicated the new room today—and its “reading corner”… part of the league’s literacy initiative. Florida Flame spokesperson – Amber Rish – says the hope is to create an environment within the hospital where kids can be kids…

“We found out they had an extra room they were going to be renovating in the hospital for a teen center. They already had a pool table and an old junky couch and an old TV – and they wanted to revamp it for a place that the children, when they’re sick, can go and kind of get away from being in their hospital room and their illness.”

Besides a new couch and television – the Flame also donated 500 new books for the reading corner. The walls of the renovated room now sport a basketball theme.