Pau Gasol Launches Interactive Storybook for UNICEF
Funds raised will support UNICEF child survival programs through ‘Pau’s Project’ initiative.
UNICEF Ambassador and NBA player Pau Gasol is launching today the storybook app Give a day. Narrated by Gasol in three languages— English, Spanish and Catalonian—this tale promotes child rights and will raise funds for UNICEF programs through Pau’s Project, an initiative that supports education and nutrition programs in Africa.
“This story is about helping children overcome life’s greatest challenges, which is what UNICEF does every day in its work throughout the world,” said Gasol. “Together, we can help change the lives of so many children who need our support to survive and develop.” Continue reading
Derek Fisher is Character Driven: Life, Lessons, and Basketball
Derek Fisher is Character Driven: Life, Lessons, and Basketball
Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher can do no wrong…at least in my book. But don’t take it from me, Derek Fisher has just released his own book, Character Driven: Life, Lessons, and Basketball
Derek Fisher is a man of exceptional character…a few years ago Fisher was playing for the Utah Jazz when they faced the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals…at the time, Fisher’s then 10-month old daughter Tatum had been diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a degenerative and rare form of eye cancer, which required an emergency three-hour surgery at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital…Fisher flew to NY with permission from the team, stating he would try to return in time for Game Two. After his daughter’s surgery, he and his family flew from New York and landed in Salt Lake City with the game in progress. He arrived at the arena and entered the game in the middle of the third quarter…I can still remember the standing ovation he received…late in the fourth, Fisher made a critical defensive move, sent the game into overtime and in the closing minutes, landed a three-pointer that sealed an emotional victory…soon after, Fisher asked the Jazz to release him from his contract so he could relocate to a team and city that would have the “right combination” of specialists that could help fight his daughter’s retinoblastoma. The Jazz honored his request and Fisher joined the Lakers who went on to win their fifteenth NBA championship (making it number four for D-Fish)…
About the book: In Character Driven, the NBA champion and starting point guard for the Lakers shares his life story and the inspirational values that have led to his success. Since his rookie season with the Lakers in 1996, Derek Fisher has had a dramatic impact on—and great success with—the NBA. Playing alongside legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, Fisher has held his own at point, exhibiting his exceptional floor leadership and participating in some of the most dramatic post-season games and thrilling moments in recent memory. In his compelling new book, Fisher shares the values that have guided him on the court and off. From his roots in Little Rock to his record-breaking college career at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, his four NBA championships, and his position as president of the Players Association, Fisher shows readers what it’s like to play—and achieve—at the highest levels. Drawing on the power of faith, he demonstrates how anyone can play for a successful team: whether that team is family, community, or just happens to be one in the NBA.
MEET DEREK FISHER: Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher will be signing copies of his book “Character Driven: Life, Lessons, and Basketball” on Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 at the Barnes & Noble store at The Grove at Farmers Market in Los Angeles, starting at 7pm.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Chris Paul Dreams Big
Chris Paul Dreams Big
New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul has had quite a busy summer…he recently wrapped up a trip to China where he held clinics for the kids, dedicated a basketball court and introduced a new Nike shoe…now, he’s getting ready for the release of his book: Chris Paul: Never Too Small to Dream Big.
“I’m too excited about that,” Paul said. “It’s been a few years coming now…it’s finally coming out. I’m doing a book release in New York on Sept. 22…It’s about my story growing up. The illustrations in the book are great, seeing the pictures of me and my brother, my mom, my dad, my grandfather. It’s great. The story is about me as a young kid, being around my brother and his friends, always telling me that I was too small and different things like that. And to see where I am today, it’s funny. Because in the book, they’re talking about me playing basketball, but anyone can relate to it.”
Indeed…but I’m a bit too distracted to think about CP’s book because hot stuff recently visited and spoke with students at the high school he attended, West Forsyth High in Clemmons, North Carolina…and while there….
…he brought along his son, Chris Paul II…in a sport where too many ballers have gone AWOL on their kids, there’s nothing better than seeing a big man with a small ego shower love on his precious child….
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Athletic Champions Pose Naked for AIDS Awareness and Charity
Athletic Champions Pose Naked for AIDS Awareness and Charity
I don’t know how this one snuck by me…it opened October 30 at the National Portrait Gallery in London and runs through March 8, 2009…Terrell Owens (above), Matt Dawson and Thierry Henry are just a few of the beautiful sports babes who participated in ‘Champions,’ an amazing black and white nude portrait project by photographers Anderson and Low that benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
The ‘Champions’ exhibit has over 30 previously unseen nude portraits on display, of some of the hottest athletes shot by photographers Anderson & Low. The collection of images took several years to complete-making me wish I had been along on that road trip…they visited three different continents to shoot the hotties after the photographers conceived the idea to support the Elton John Aids Foundation and to raise awareness of the global issue of HIV/AIDS…consider my awareness ‘raised’…
“Transcending cultural and socioeconomic boundaries the universal appeal of these athletes made them the ideal subjects for this project,” reads the press release. “Their nudity in the portraits is symbolic, illustrating both their physical beauty and prowess alongside their vulnerability and humanity.”
If you’re in London and want to check out the images, admission to the Gallery is free…they are also selling a book in the gallery’s bookshop: The ‘Champions’ book by Anderson and Low, which contains 138 images of the participating athletes…and yes, I would love a copy from someone for my birthday next month. For more images and information about the incredible photography of Anderson and Low click here.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Michael Phelps’ Final Lap for Charity, Right to Play at Olympics, And an Inspiring Baseball Book for Kids
TWENTY SECONDS
Yesterday, five members of Students for a Free Tibet lit up the skies near the National Stadium and spelled out ‘Free Tibet’ with blue LED lights in English and Mandarin. It took the police just 20-seconds to intervene…three other protestors were detained as they attempted to use lasers to spell out ‘Free Tibet’ on a Beijing landmark. Students for a Free Tibet Exec Dir Lhadon Tethong said “more actions were planned” in Beijing in the coming days…(NY Times).
PHELPS TAKES LAP FOR CHARITY
While protestors were busy raising awareness for Tibet, Michael Phelps enjoyed meeting some of our NBA’s hotties before taking his final lap-number 6,250- of the ‘Hilton Swim to Beijing Relay.’ The charitable event contributed $100,000 to the USA Swimming Foundation to fund swim education programs across the U.S. Hilton Hotels is one of Phelps’ sponsors, and in celebration of the Olympics, they partnered with the USA Swimming Foundation with each of the 6,250 laps symbolizing one of the miles between Los Angeles, the relay’s starting point, and Beijing.
“After representing my country and competing in the Olympics, Hilton gave me another great reason to get back in the pool,” said Phelps. “By being a part of this campaign I’m able to help support swim education programs across the nation and give young people the chance to experience the power of the sport. Swimming is much more than a fun activity and great form of exercise. It teaches self-discipline and dedication—two important qualities that one can draw on to succeed both in and out of the pool.”
More love came from the Olympians yesterday as more than a dozen current and former athletes hit up the corporate hospitality pavilion to support the Right to Play. The humanitarian organization landed heavily on the map after the 06 Turin Games when speed skater Joey Cheek donated his bonus money to them. This time, its different though- thanks to IOC sponsor Johnson & Johnson, donations are being made on behalf of the athletes. J&J is donating $20,000 per gold medal, $15,000 per silver and $10,000 per bronze won by those who have signed up to be Right to Play athlete ambassadors. “There has been a lot of criticism for having the Olympic games here,” said U.S. swimmer Natalie Coughlin, “but it has made a wider audience aware of issues that they otherwise might not have known about.” (Coughlin with her six medals won here, is responsible for $80,000 for the organization.) Any athlete can become an ambassador, yet only about 40 Olympians representing 13 countries and 25 sports have signed up, notably absent as an ambassador for Right to Play? Michael Phelps.
Coughlin said she spoke to Phelps about it last week in the Olympic Village, “He wants to do it,” Coughlin said. “He’s going to do it. I have mentioned to him that his eight gold medals would mean 52,000 children would be enrolled in the program and 1,600 coaches would be able to get involved.” If Phelps does indeed become an ambassador, it would bring a whopping $160,000 donation from J&J to Right to Play.
FOR THE KIDS
Ya’ all know I don’t cover many baseball related events, but there is a little book coming out that I gotta give props to. The book, ‘A Glove of Their Own’ has already got some endorsement love from several players: Craig Biggio, Sean Casey and Jack Hannahan have all stepped up to support the children’s book aimed at teaching kids the value of sharing what you have with those in need. Charity partners include Good Sports, Sports Gift, Pitch In For Baseball, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Cheerful Givers, and the Sunshine Foundation. From the back cover: “Few things in life are ever as good as the smell of your own glove, the crack of the wood. Or being with friends at that one special spot and sharing what you have… with those who have not.” The picture book personifies the “paying it forward” mentality via a group of underprivileged boys’ childhood experience, and how their love of the game is not defined by the equipment they don’t have but rather the passion and dreams that they do have. The book was inspired by a birthday party held for one of the writers’ kids- in place of gifts, guests were asked to donate baseball equipment for children who normally do without. A Glove of Their Own comes out in October, and those wishing to get their hands on a copy need to reserve now! Go to the website to reserve your copy.
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As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo
delinda@athlebrities.com
Delinda Challenged By Dikembe’s Tormentor
DELINDA’S 30-DAY CHALLENGE
A few days ago I posted a rant aimed at an article promoting Hooman, the alleged ‘reformed racist’ who taunted Dikembe Mutombo with his “monkey” comment. And today, I accept a challenge from Hooman himself.
- Hey Delinda, How come you left out the part where I am donating 25% of my book to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation? Why is it that Dikembe Mutombo’s camp is way past my mistake and you are not? I want to issue you a friendly challenge. Why not let me coach you for a month? I will make you a better person in less than 30 days. If not tell everyone what a phony I am. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Why are you so angry? I don’t have ads on my website so you can’t say I am doing it for money. It is okay that you have ads on your website but here you are calling me out because you are claiming I am all about money. Why don’t you try to put this thing past us? If that article bothered you on Sunday you are in for a future of disappointment because I am here to stay. I am going to help as many people as I can, including you. I have dreamed of being a motivational speaker since I was 22. This negative experience has driven me to make it happen. You too can turn the negatives of your life into the greatest positives by the way you think. I am extending to you an olive branch of peace, why don’t you let go of the past so your future can be that much better? Are you up for my 30-day challenge? Either way I really wish you the best in your life and I hope you find happiness. HoomanCan
In my original post “How To Reward Racism’ I did omit the fact that a portion of Hooman book will be donated to Dikembe’s Foundation-for several reasons: one, on Hoomans website he states that he is donating 20%, (not 25% as mentioned by the man himself) and two, I doubt Hoomans motives.
Hoomans above challenge claims that he can ‘make me a better person’. I accept his challenge for several reasons…first of all, I think rather highly of myself, my ethics, my morals and my reputation, which leads me to my other reason for accepting- I feel I can make Hooman a better person as well. After all, it’s a give and take world isnt it? In particular, I would ask Hooman to explain the following paragraph from his website:
The book Mutombo and Me is about the events following the night, which Hooman Hamzehloui became infamous around the world for being the racist who was banned from every NBA arena. Unknowingly using words of racist hate, Hooman became the recipient of hate mail, death threats, and nasty calls. Hooman had always been an advocate against racism so he felt personally responsible for bringing out the hatred of people all over the world.
So, Hooman, question…IF you claim to have “always been an advocate against racism” why did you spark an international outrage? I have yet to hear of another ‘advocate’ taunting another person with racial slurs. Perhaps you should change the words you use to promote yourself? This would be a great first step towards your credibility in my eyes.
Because what you, Hooman, don’t recognize, is that I have already found happiness. I don’t get my happiness from the pennies I earn each month from the ads on my site. My happiness is rooted in a deep belief that we are all equal, regardless of race, nationality, or political views. But my true happiness is at its peak when I see those in a position to better this world take action. Do I believe you (Hooman) and your motives? Not really…at least not yet…but I am willing to hear what you have to say. So, I accept your magical Hooman ‘make-me-a-better-person-make-over’ because if you are going to ‘create a future of disappointment for me by not going away’ then I best give you one shot at redemption before I dismiss you for good.
Game on Hooman. Show me what ya got.
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As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo
delinda@athlebrities.com