For reaching the Western Conference finals, the Jazz were one of four teams given $10,000 by the NBA for a community project.

That donation was then matched by Larry H. Miller Charities and a new reading and learning center was planned.

The finished product was unveiled Tuesday at Neighborhood House, 1050 W. 500 South, with Boozer, Williams and the Jazz Bear (who received the loudest cheers) on hand and some 220 kids age 2 to 12 from the city's west side set to benefit.

"It's remarkable,'' Boozer said. "You never really think that the success that we have on the basketball court can lead to helping out kids and helping out families. Being able to build something like this, I mean you never think the NBA would reward you like that."

The Jazz donated eight new computers as well as 400 children's books, some of which the players autographed and the kids took home. Boozer signed a "Hannah Montana" book for one girl and said even he was looking for tickets to one of her concerts.

Jacob Brace, Neighborhood House's executive director, said the center in the Poplar Grove neighborhood serves a community of mostly minority and low-income families with before- and after-school activities as well as preschool.

Brace said he was "floored" when the Jazz approached him about renovating a room - complete with new carpet, new lighting and new paint - for the reading and learning center.

"It's amazing when you find people who just get it,'' he said, "that get the idea that these kids, once given an opportunity, can turn into amazing people."

rsiler@sltrib.com