Najera Visits Nationwide/Mavs Clinic

Mavs forward Eduardo Najera visited with kids at the Nationwide Insurance/Dallas Mavericks Community Clinic on Sept. 8. The event was held in conjunction with the McDonald's Arcos de Inspiracion (Arches of Inspiration) program, which selected Boys and Girls Club members to participate through an award/incentive program based on their summer-long involvement and participation with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas.

Prior to Najera's visit, Dallas Police officers talked to the kids about safety awareness and the Hoop Camp coaching staff directed the attendees through a number of basketball fundamental drills. Upon his arrival, Najera played games with the kids and signed autographs. McDonald's characters Grimmace and Hamburglar also made an appearance as well as McGruff the Crime Dog. All attendees received Happy Meals, T-shirts and other paraphernalia compliments of McDonald's.

The Nationwide/Dallas Mavericks Community Clinics are run by the Dallas Mavericks Hoop Camp coaching staff and provide attendees two hours of excellent fundamental basketball instruction. Following the basketball skills activities is a "reward" hour, which can include appearances by current and former Mavs players and other fun activities.

Also partnering with the Nationwide Insurance/Dallas Mavericks Community Clinic Series is the Dallas Police Department. Police officers and McGruff the Crime Dog are on hand to teach kids safety awareness and develop a bond of friendship between police officers and kids.

Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide, a Fortune 500 company based in Columbus, OHios, is one of the country's largest multi-line insurers and financial service organiztions. More information can be found on the company's Web site, nationwide.com.

McDonald's of North Texas Arcos de Inspiracion (Arches of Inspiration) Program
The Arcos de Inspiracion program was developed in 1998 in conjunction with Univision Channel 23 and KESS 1270 AM/Estereo Latino to provide field trips to Hispanic elementary students who have excelled in the classroom. McDonald's works with the Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving and Carrollton Independent School Districts to identify schools in need of assistance. The program exposes students to material and special events that are relevant to subject matter they are studying. Field trips include visits to local museums, zoos, McDonald's restaurants and other special events in the area. This past spring a group of students who completed their TAAS testing was given an exciting opportunity to attend the final game of the Dallas Mavericks regular season.

McDonald's is the largest and best-known foodservice retailer, with more than 23,000 restaurants in 114 countries. About 85% of McDonald's restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees.

Hamburglar, a McDonald's character, made an appearance at the clinic.

Grimmace, also a McDonald's character, mingled with the kids.

Najera sat and talked with the kids after playing games with them.

Najera signed autographs for all attendees.

Hoop Camp coaches directed the attendees through drills to further develop their basketball skills.