The Phoenix Mercury were honored for their 2007 championship season by President George W. Bush at the White House Monday, but the president also went out of his way to point out the community work the Mercury participate in as well.

The thing I love about this team and a lot of champions that I get to recognize here at the White House is the fact that they understand you’re a champ on the courts, and you’re a champ off the courts. The — this team spent weekends on a Habitat for Humanity program called, “Women Build.” They served meals at homeless shelters. They honored breast cancer survivors. They helped sign up runners for Race for the Cure. They collected water bottles from fans and donated them to the Salvation Army’s Extreme Heat Emergency Project. They participated in Read to Achieve. They helped stuff backpacks with supplies for underprivileged children.

They support the junior WNBA program, fully understanding that promoting healthy lifestyles is good for America, and there’s no better way to have a healthy lifestyle than to participate in athletics. They’ve done their duty as citizens of the United States. I’m honored to welcome you. I’m proud of your championship trophy. I thank you for what you do for the country. May God bless you all. (Applause.)

Here’s a look at some of the programs the Mercury participate in throughout their community.

Take 25 Educates Families
The Mercury partnered with Local Law Enforcement on Tuesday, June 3, for National Missing Children’s Day. Take 25 is a national child safety campaign that promotes an ongoing dialogue between children, families, and communities about child safety. Law enforcement agencies were on hand to provide education materials to encourage and educate families on how to keep their children safe.

Habitat for Humanity Women Build
Mercury President and COO Jay Parry was on hand for the ground breaking of the Habitat for Humanity Women build on Saturday, February 2, 2008. As part of the Mercury’s commitment to this project Mercury fans, coaches, staff and players will help build the home for nine weekends.

You can read more about the WNBA’s philanthropic work at WNBA Cares.

Came across this from the people over at SilverStarsNation. The WNBA is hosting community events this week as part of WNBA Cares Week before they officially tip-off.  Some of the highlights (I’m a sucker for parent-child stuff.)

Houston: The Comets will host a special Mothers and Daughters Shooting Clinic with the Monica Lamb Foundation on May 10. Participants will have a chance to interact with players and learn important lessons about health and wellness.

San Antonio: The Silver Stars squad will visit wounded soldiers at the Center for the Intrepid at Fort Sam Houston on May 22. The players will bring special gifts and spend time with the soldiers and their families.

The Center for the Intrepid is a great rehabilitation facility for veterans and those injured in combat. It was all privately funded by donations. Anyway, back to the community stuff.

Detroit: The team will unveil the “Detroit Shock Inspiring Women & Live, Learn and Play Center” at the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit. The entire squad will work on the facility’s backyard including painting, setting up furniture and planting trees and flowers. The mothers living in the house will also be honored as part of an unveiling celebration on May 15.

If you’re so inclined, help out the organizations the WNBA is helping, too.