Along with the melee of NBA players and fans that were out in L.A. for the NBA All Star weekend, a few folks took the time out to give back to the community. In conjuction with Sprite, Lebron James teamed up with the beverage company to promote their Sprite Spark Parks project. The fundraising project will use $2 million to help build and refurbished parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, and basketball courts.

According to Sprite, the company expects to the program to help more than 150 basketball courts, community spaces, playgrounds and athletic fields in at least 40 U.S. cities this year. “The Sprite Spark Parks Project is a multi-year commitment to build and restore play environments where teens, families and neighbors can get outside and be active,” said Caren Pasquale Seckler, vice president, Flavor Brands Portfolio, Coca-Cola North America. “Our goal is to improve communities in inspired ways and we’re relying on people around the country to help us identify the places where we can make the biggest impact. As more people get involved, the project will become more powerful.”

To nominate a basketball court for renovation, people can log onto www.Facebook.com/Sprite through April 8 to designate a court for consideration. Participants can also post pictures and short message describing why the court deserves a makeover. The nominees will be narrowed down to approximately 70 finalists — based on support generated during the nomination process — which will be put to a nationwide vote. As part of the program, at last 21 courts will receive funding in 2011 for items such as new rims, backboards, blacktop surfaces and art installations created by local artists to inspire play, according to a Sprite press release.

To show support for his friend, Jay-Z and Beyonce came out to the L.A. event and showed some love.

Peep the video footage from the event:

Source: CSNews.com

Photos: TheYBF.com