Nine-year-old Noah Woltman of Saugus, Calif.

The Harlem Globetrotters' summer S.P.I.N.™ event on June 30, 2008, stretched far and wide, as kids took to their yards across the nation in a first of its kind event for fun and fitness.

While thousands of kids and adults at YMCAs across the country simultaneously dribbled basketballs at 1:00 p.m. EDT on June 30, 2008, kids from the coasts to the heartland joined in the excitement right outside their doors.

"My sons Noah Woltman (age 9) and Zachary (age 5) had fun dribbling basketballs at their grandmother's house in San Diego," said Gina Woltman.  "In fact, in honor of the Globetrotters' team colors, my older son painted his hair red and blue for the event."

S.P.I.N.™ (Some Playtime Is Necessary) is the Harlem Globetrotters’ newly-launched proprietary program designed to make fitness fun and to help kids cultivate an active lifestyle, as Globetrotter players visit cities around the world, urging kids to get out and play.

Candace Plemons, whose children Sarah and Brandon (who is pictured to the right) took part at their home in Cowpens, S.C., said she is glad that the Globetrotters are reaching a new generation of children with positives messages.

"A Globetrotter spoke to my son's Upward Basketball league last winter, and the children of today are just as amazed as I was as a kid."

Since 2005, as part of their widely popular “C.H.E.E.R.™  For Character” program, the Harlem Globetrotters have also urged kids to take the President’s Challenge at www.presidentschallenge.org and earn their Presidential Active Lifestyle Award by meeting a daily activity goal of 60 minutes a day, at least five days a week, for a total of six weeks.

To show their appreciation, the summer S.P.I.N.™ event also offered kids a unique opportunity to witness Globetrotter magic firsthand.  The first 250,000 participants in the S.P.I.N.™ event  that complete an online form, with the help of their parents, will receive a voucher for a complimentary ticket to a game in their area during the Globetrotters’ 2009 North American Tour. 

Kids like Ava, Brandon and Sarah that were unable to make it to a YMCA but took pictures or video of their participation are also eligible for one of the vouchers.  Click here to find out how.