Will Ferrell 80’s Night with Bulls-Hornets
Will Ferrell delivered a hilarious starting line-up intro for last nights 80s-themed (Chicago) Bulls- (New Orleans) Hornets game in New Orleans…perhaps one of the best partnerships in the world is Ferrell and anything to do with sports.
After you’re done laughing at Ferrell’s colorful call-outs-which include: ‘Carlos Boozer, he still lives with his mother’ and ‘he’s a Scorpio and a horrible dancer, Joakim Noah’ remember that Ferrell’s charity work is mainly focused on Cancer for College. (http://www.cancerforcollege.org/)
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
*Note: Athlebrities™ is NOT associated with E! Entertainment Television’s on-line ‘Athlebrity Zone’ or ‘Athlebrity Madness’. Their use of my legally protected company name is without my consent and constitutes a direct, well-documented theft of my intellectual property.
NBA Preseason Giving
NBA Preseason Giving
“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.” (Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Most fans are excited for the NBA season to get underway, but I relish this time of year not just for the hoops, but for the preseason love our NBA hotties lavish on their communities…yesterday tipped off the 2009 NBA Cares Week of Service where every NBA team will host a variety of “hands-on service events through Oct. 26 in a collaborative effort to give back to children, families, and the community and to increase fan awareness about the importance of service.”
Increasing my ‘fan awareness’ yesterday were the Memphis Grizzlies…Zach Randolph, Mike Conley(L), and DeMarre Carroll® danced with kids, read to them and gave away Grizzly backpacks during a Read to Achieve Event at Norris Elementary School in Memphis, Tennessee …
All week, NBA teams are making the rounds-joining with community members and partners in an effort to support health, education, and environmental awareness programs through several projects…I’ll try to keep up with all the action, which includes: The Detroit Pistons will distribute 1,000 pairs of shoes to children in partnership with Samaritan’s Feet…the Los Angeles Lakers and community volunteers will assemble holiday care packages for deployed U.S. service members in partnership with Operation Gratitude…the New Orleans Hornets will visit pediatric patients at a local hospital, host a three-day children’s book distribution at the Audubon Zoo, and tip off their Read to Achieve program by hosting 500 local fifth graders at Louisiana Children’s Museum for a writing workshop and 13 simultaneous Reading Timeouts…the Phoenix Suns and community volunteers will build bunk beds for Steve Nash and I and underprivileged children in partnership with Rebuilding Together…the Chicago Bulls will host “Operation Stock the Library” at Henry H. Nash Elementary School. Players will stock the school’s library with $8,000 worth of brand-new books to tip off the team’s Read to Achieve program…the Los Angeles Clippers will provide 1,600 local families with food and personal care items in partnership with Feed the Children…the Golden State Warriors will prepare and serve meals to 150 homeless children and families in partnership with CityTeam Ministries in Oakland…the New Jersey Nets will host a park clean-up day at Branchbrook Park in Newark, N.J. (I suspect that’s gonna be a long day)…the Oklahoma City Thunder will spend time with youngsters at an area homeless shelter…and the Orlando Magic will serve food to homeless children and families at the Christian Service Center in downtown Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood.
The NBA Cares Week of Service aligns with President Obama’s recent launch of the United We Serve initiative (www.serve.gov), which seeks to expand the impact of volunteer work in existing organizations and encourage individuals to make a difference in their communities. Fans can find out about volunteer opportunities and learn more about the NBA’s community partners by going to www.nba.com/nbacares. In the immortal words of Nike: JUST DO IT! Get out and volunteer to help our ballers improve the communities and make the kids smile!
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Chris Paul Grants a Wish
Chris Paul Grants a Wish
Last week, New Orleans Hornet, Chris Paul held his annual charity event, the Chris Paul Winston-Salem Weekend to raise funds for the CP3 Foundation and to give back to the community he came from…the Winston-Salem Weekend activities included a ‘Day of Service’ on Friday where CP stuffed care packages for American troops overseas and distributed food to needy families…he also hosted a free youth basketball clinic, worked with Special Olympic athletes and held a gala honoring the late Wake Forest Coach Skip Prosser…the first three years of the event have raised over $325,000 for a variety of programs and charities in the Winston-Salem area.
And it’s not just about community, giving back and raising money- it’s about raising spirits: “Today is always a special day,” Paul told the kids. “It’s an opportunity to give back to the community, to you kids and to all the different families who need it.” One such way he gave back to the kids came when he read his new book, Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big
But those who know CP, know he’s not gonna stop at reading, donating, or rebuilding when he can do more-when he wants to do more…
- Jarrell Marshall’s day went from special to unforgettable at the Carlson Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club. It was already shaping up to be a red-letter day when Marshall got to meet Chris Paul, his favorite NBA player. Marshall, who has Hodgkin’s lymphoma, was representing the regional office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation at a check-presentation ceremony at Paul’s annual Winston-Salem Weekend yesterday. Shortly after shaking Marshall’s hand, Paul told him not to go anywhere. “What’s your wish?” Paul asked. “To meet Chris Paul,” Marshall quietly answered. “That and what else?” Paul asked. “To take my family to Jamaica on a cruise.” “I’m here to tell you,” Paul said, “that your wish has been granted.” (Full story can be read HERE)
I try my best to keep up with athletes and their philanthropy. I can count on one hand the number of players who go out and spread love without asking for a pat on the back…players that are so active and sincere about their off-field giving that it’s difficult to keep up with them…Chris Paul is one of those athletes. He’s an exceptional human being who hasn’t been tainted by celebrity and we could certainly use more mighty-mighty-fine CP’s in this world…for more about hot-stuff and his foundation, please visit his website CHRISPAUL3.COM. On behalf of humanity, thank you Chris Paul. (All images courtesy of the CP3 Foundation)
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
NBA Action: Charity Round Up
CHRIS PAUL
How about a big plate of Chris Paul for lunch? Seriously. You can now walk into any ‘Copelands’ restaurant and order a big ol’ plate of CP3 with extra sauce and a side o’ fries and not feel guilty about it because it’s for charity…On Saturday, the Hornets’ All-Star babe, hosted 240 boys and girls ages 7 to 16 at Lakefront Arena for his inaugural Chris Paul Basketball Camp, where he also announced a couple of new charitable initiatives-one of which is the signature Chris Paul dish with proceeds benefiting the Al Copeland Foundation and the Chris Paul Basketball Camp.
“I’m here for the kids, ” Paul said. “I love them, I love when they ask the craziest questions. They asked ‘Do you like basketball?’ You never know what you are going to hear when you are out there with the kids. That’s what it is all about. I think of myself as a big kid…I think of some of the opportunities they have to meet an NBA basketball player, and I just want to give them hope.”
More hope from the balling do-gooder comes with the announcement that he’s also teamed with country music star Garth Brooks and his ‘Teammates For Kids Foundation,’ a nonprofit charity that donates money to other charities based on the accomplishments of athletes. Teammates For Kids has donated more than $68 million in cash, gifts and scholarships through players and teams in the NFL, NHL and MLB…no surprise that Chris Paul was chosen as the foundation’s first NBA partner. Under the plan, Teammates For Kids will triple Paul’s contribution to his charity. “Chris is going to be like our arrangement with every other athlete—whatever he pledges . . . it’s our job as a foundation to triple that money, ” Brooks said. “We are very lucky to enter this sport, and we are very lucky to have had a great conversation with the players association and the league up in New York last week.”
GRANT HILL AND THE SUNS
Another one of our smoking hot ballers with a massive heart, Grant Hill (Phoenix Suns) hosted the Paint the Planet Orange kickoff event last week at Balsz Elementary School in Phoenix…Hill was joined by new Sun Matt Barnes and his sexy tattoos as they dropped in on kids during the weeklong campaign which included appearances at various charitable organizations…Also, on Friday, October 31, join the City of Phoenix Graffiti Busters Project (47th Avenue Food Store, beginning at 2 p.m. 4723 W Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85031) The Suns have teamed up with the City of Phoenix’s Graffiti Busters project to clean up the city as Suns stars Amare Stoudemire, Robin Lopez and Sean Singletary along with Mayor Phil Gordon and The Gorilla help paint the planet orange when they paint over destructive graffiti. The City of Phoenix’s Graffiti Busters program sends crews to remove graffiti reported through the hotline and also coordinates with other public and private agencies to remove graffiti. More info HERE.
SAN LONGORIA SPURS
Its been a long time since I’ve given any love to the Spurs…still wince when I do…but I must…mainly because NBA Hall of Famer, George “The Iceman” Gervin (far R), fired the starting gun for the 2nd annual Spurs Hope & Possibility 5k to benefit the Achilles San Antonio chapter at the Center for the Intrepid and the Spurs Foundation.
Spurring on participants were Ime Udoka, Jacque Vaughn and Tim Duncan (far right as well)…also at the event were Bruce Bowen, Roger Mason, Manu Ginobili and Tony Longoria-Parker.
And as much as I hate running, I suspect I would have clocked a sensational time had I known Kurt Thomas would be there to quench my thirst…
**Please visit Look to the Stars to read my interview with former talk show host Jenny Jones. She is improving this world one person at a time and hands down, ranks as one of my favorite celebrity philanthropists.
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As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo
delinda@athlebrities.com
Tilghman Suspended for Comments, Chris Paul, Kobe & the Kids, Usher Hosts NHL ALL-Star Weekend, NFLer’s Guinness Book World Record Achieved, Juventus Gives Love.
TILGHMAN SUSPENDED FOR COMMENTS
The Golf Channel released the following statement on Jan. 9th: ”The Golf Channel regrets the poorly chosen remarks made by Kelly Tilghman on a recent broadcast and, again, extends our apologies to anyone who was offended. There is simply no place on our network for offensive language like this. While we believe that Kelly’s choice of words were inadvertent and that she did not intend them in an offensive manner, the words were hurtful and grossly inappropriate. Consequently, we have decided to suspend Kelly for two weeks, effective immediately.” The suspension ends in time for the Buick Invitational on Jan. 24, when Woods will make his 2008 debut…and yes, I think this suspension is fair punishment. I’m sure Tilghman, who I don’t believe is a racist, has learned a valuable lesson. (sports.yahoo) And not that it has anything to do with the price of tea in China, but Tiger Woods, by the way, earned a total of $122.7M last year.
CHRIS PAUL, KOBE & THE KIDS
Kobe Bryant scored 19 points, Andrew Bynum added 17 and the Los Angeles Lakers won their fourth straight game, 109-80 over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night. But its what happened after the game that made me smile. NBA super-good-guy, Chris Paul (Hornets) and princess Kobe met with a bunch of kids from New Orleans and spoke to them about, well-to be honest, your guess is as good as mine since I cant find it mentioned anywhere else on the Internet. I can speculate they might be Make-A-Wish kids, since the Hornets support the organization, or they could just be some of the 6,500 local kids that were granted an opportunity to attend a Hornets home game this season, compliments of Chris Paul, David West, Peja Stojakovic, Ryan Bowen, Morris Peterson, Bobby Jackson and Julian Wright.
In any case, my bags are already packed for the NBA ALL Star game, which is slated for February 17 in New Orleans. And in case you’re not entirely sold on hitting the Big Easy for a week of debauchery, the Louisiana Office of Tourism has unveiled a $6 million ad campaign, “This is my Louisiana,” which features numerous home-grown hotties expounding on the virtues of Louisiana. In the 30-second TV spot, Chris Paul interacts with Louisiana-born NBA legends Willis Reed and Karl Malone, who keep imploring Paul to get off the basketball court and fish, hunt and camp with them. “Come on, CP, lighten up,” says Reed. Paul continues to shoot hoops, then ends up in a party on the streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter. “I have all the Louisiana I need right here,” says Paul. Indeed you do Chris, indeed you do.
USHER ME IN
Hotlanta native and five time Grammy winner, Usher, will emcee the 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend event, (Jan. 26/27) which will benefit his New Look Foundation, a non-profit program established to expose young people to the business side of sports and entertainment. Starting today, additional tickets to the event were made available for purchase. Fans can purchase $30 upper level tickets in addition to $75 concert hall level tickets. Tickets are available on-line at http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 404-249-6400 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-249-6400 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Doors will open at 9 p.m.
NEW FOOTBALL SIGNING WORLD RECORD
To raise awareness for charity, Samsung Electronics, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Circuit City hosted 18 NFL Players, 2 LCD HDTVs and 4,500 Footballs in Las Vegas for the record-setting event. At 10:44 a.m., a representative from the Guinness Book of World Records declared the “Largest Autograph Signing by Professional Athletes” had been completed. “It’s a great achievement,” said rep Molloy, “and it’s a Guinness World Record any sports fan can appreciate.” Approximately 20 members of the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Club were on-hand and had the opportunity to meet football legends such as Marcus Allen, Michael Irvin, Anthony Munoz, Deacon Jones, Carl Eller, Harry Carson, Fred Belitnikoff, Merlin Olsen and many more. During the event, Samsung formally gave their gift of $10,000 in product to the Las Vegas chapter of the Boys & Girls Club. “We are so thankful that Samsung, Circuit City and the Pro Football Hall of Fame included us in this wonderful program,” said Jim Richards, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Club. “The fact that they included a Las Vegas charity shows they are sincere about making a real difference in the lives of the youngsters living in our community.”
JUVENTUS GIVES LOVE
Italian soccer team Juventus are in Malta for a five-day training camp, and some of their hotties took a time out to spread some love. Sexy Pavel Nedved (L) and Vincenzo Iaquinta® stopped by the children’s ward of the Mater Dei Hospital outside Valletta, and I can only image how many kids are smiling today because of these mighty-fine beasts.
ATHLETE CHARITY EVENTS/FUNDRAISERS
If you’re looking to have some fun this year while joining our hotties in their quest to better the world, please check out the Athlete Charity Events calendar link (under categories, top right side of this site). It’s updated as the events are announced, with pa-lenty of great happenings going on already. If you would like to have an event listed, please contact me and Ill be happy to add it. Also, be sure to check out LooktotheStars.org, where I contribute articles to on a regular basis in efforts to raise awareness about athletes/celebrities who do good in this world. (The link to all my articles can be found in the category section as Delinda on the Web)
As always, thanks for reading.
delinda@athlebrities.
