The NBA All-Star Game is more than just the game.

In advance of Sunday's star-studded matchup at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, the National Basketball Association will sponsor five days of community events intended "to make a lasting impact on North Texas communities," the league said.

From Wednesday through Sunday, NBA players, former players and sponsoring businesses will take part in more than 25 service projects and other events.

"We want to encourage people to give back year-round," said Todd Jacobson, the league's vice president of community relations. "It's an amazing opportunity, I think, for everyone to come together."

The NBA Cares Community Caravan began in Philadelphia in 2001 as a way to involve current and former players in efforts to help those in each year's host city.

Many of this week's events will be in Dallas.

At 9 a.m. Wednesday, players will visit the Vogel Alcove Childcare Center in Dallas. From 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, NBA and WNBA players will have a clinic for children in wheelchairs at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Facility on Bonnie View Road.

Friday is the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service. From 1 to 4 p.m., participants will help refurbish five houses, make repairs at Burnet Elementary School in northwest Dallas and dedicate the school's reading and learning center, and build a playground in Arlington.

On Saturday, the NBA will have a clinic for 70 local Special Olympics athletes beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Dallas Convention Center.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is inviting five young people and their families to the NBA Legends brunch at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.