While the 12-12-12 concert for Sandy Relief was taking place at Madison Square Garden, a few blocks away UNICEF Ambassador Pau Gasol was meeting with U.S. Fund for UNICEF supporters as a reminder that millions of children around the world also need our help. Pau, who has been working with UNICEF for ten years, discussed his recent field visit to Chad (a trip he made after winning a silver medal with Spain in the London Olympics), where he experienced firsthand the efforts UNICEF is undertaking to combat the nutritional crisis in Africa’s Sahel region.

Congratulations to UNICEF Ambassador and LA Laker Pau Gasol for the 2011-2012 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. Named after the second commissioner of the NBA and presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, the award is given annually to the NBA player, coach or trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community. Pau has been a UNICEF Ambassador for seven years, personally funded critical UNICEF programs and traveled the globe promoting initiatives aimed at nutrition and education for children. Thanks to Pau and all our friends at the NBA for their commitment to UNICEF and the millions of children whose survival and development we fight for.

Often times, professional athletes aren’t recognized for their altruistic deeds off-the-field. UNICEF Ambassador and LA Laker, Pau Gasol, bears no exception to the rule. Conduct a search on your favorite web browser and you will likely see results akin to last night’s box score or the incessant trade rumors. More important than making headlines however, Pau is working to raise awareness and proceeds to fight child malnutrition through his narration of “Give a Day”, an interactive picture book available inside the PlayTales bookstore app for iOs (Apple) and Android devices. “This story is about helping children overcome life’s greatest challenges, which is what UNICEF does every day in its work throughout the world,” said Gasol.

I recently had the pleasure of joining Los Angeles area supporters at an event graciously hosted by newly elected board member, Marisa Zanuck. It was a joy to come together with supporters and share the experiences and sentiments that unite us for children; we were fortunate to have in attendance a very special guest, NBA Los Angeles Laker and UNICEF Spain Ambassador Pau Gasol.

Pau was named UNICEF Spain Ambassador in 2003. Since then, he has been an unyielding partner in our mission to save children’s lives having visited UNICEF programs in South Africa, Angola and Ethiopia, supporting UNICEF’s lifesaving work in the aftermath of emergencies, and leading the 2010 KIMBO campaign in Spain.

One year after the earthquake in Haiti, UNICEF USA is launching a unique project that aims at ensuring the children of Haiti are at the forefront of rebuilding efforts. Through the social media enabled micro-site , UNICEF USA gives compassionate people a chance to take tangible action and send heartfelt messages to the children of Haiti year round.

Last week NBA Cares enlisted four star players representing four charities of their choosing to make a video appeal inviting fans to vote for their favorite cause via Facebook.

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Watch Pau’s thank you video on Facebook!

We’re thrilled to announce that Pau Gasol & UNICEF has been selected as the winner in the National Basketball Association’s first-ever Charity Challenge!

As the winning charity, UNICEF will receive a $10,000 donation from NBA Cares. A huge thank you to Pau Gasol for supporting UNICEF, and even bigger thank you to all of you that voted!