Kick-It or Win It with Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon has driven laps around his competition, clearly making him king of motor sports in the US- NASCAR, Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 etc…and off the track-in terms of philanthropy, charity, giving-back or improving lives-Gordon is also running laps around the competition as he seeks to help children gain their own victories over pediatric cancer.
The first thing he wants to do, is give you his car…in support of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, hot-stuff is offering you his PERSONAL 2011 Corvette Convertible Grand Sport 4LT. For only $100 you have a one in 7,500 chance of winning his car via a raffle which ends Monday September 24, 2012 or when all 7,500 tickets are sold…pretty good odds of winning, count us in.
If owning Gordon’s personal car isn’t enough, you can join the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and Kick-It who have teamed up on the kickball field by challenging supporters to kick cancer out of every childhood once and for all. Continue reading
David Beckham and the Olympic Torch
The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has confirmed that London 2012 ambassador David Beckham will attend the Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony in Athens and bring the Flame back to the UK ahead of its 70 day journey, presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung.
The best part? Sir Golden Balls will be joined by five young people who’ve been invited to take part in recognition of their commitment to sport and their role in promoting the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect within their school or college. Continue reading
Philip Rivers & “Rivers of Hope” Aid Foster Kids
Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers is working hard to help foster kids find forever homes.
The NFL player has adopted a collection of images known as the ‘Heart Gallery’-it’s a collection of portraits taken of local foster children who are waiting to find a forever family…and last week, the Heart Gallery found a new home via a partnership with Rivers. Continue reading
NFL Player Ray Rice Changing Lives
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice deserves some love. The NFL player may be a free-agent as of this writing, not sure, but if that’s the case, it’s a win-win situation for the kids.
Perusing Rice’s Twitter and Facebook reflects an incredibly altruistic athlete. This morning, Rice shared a photo of he and ‘his main man Donte,’ explaining to fans that “the kid just has a personality that can light up a room.” Continue reading
Surfer’s Healing Helps Hunter Brown Achieve Success
Surfer’s Healing Helps Hunter Brown Achieve Success
“It is possible to overcome some of the challenges of Autism and follow your dreams.“- Hunter’s Voice August 2011
Have you met Hunter Brown? This amazing little boy was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, and now, at tens years old, Hunter has become a ‘star’ in his own right, singing the National Anthem at LA Ride for Autism and is gearing up to sing the National Anthem and another song right before the inspirational Keynote Dr. Temple Grandin takes the stage in Pasadena for the Autism Conferences of America this Friday morning.
I first met Hunter when he was participating in a Surfer’s Healing event. In case you haven’t heard of the amazing organization, Surfers Healing was founded by Israel (Izzy) and Danielle Paskowitz and is making huge waves helping kids with autism harness the healing power of the ocean via surfing.
- Their son, Isaiah, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Like many children with autism, he often suffered from sensory overload—simple sensations could overwhelm him. The ocean was the one place where he seemed to find respite. A former competitive surfer, Israel hit upon an idea—with Isaiah on the front of his surfboard, and Izzy steering from the back, the two spent the day surfing together. Surfing had a profound impact on Isaiah. Israel and Danielle decided they wanted to share this unique therapy with other children with autism. They began to host day camps at the beach where children with autism and their families could be exposed to a completely new experience of surfing
Also, it looks like Oprah is finally hip to Izzy and work…check out ‘The Swell Life’ which chronicles a summer with the world-class surfer and his wife as they raise their three children and run Surfer’s Healing.
In 2007, when he was 7-years-old, Hunter (above with actor Dean McDermott), attended his first Surfer’s Healing camp…he has attended SH three times. He “absolutely loves Izzy and the entire Surfer’s Healing family” and has since nurtured his love for singing.
“At Surfer’s Healing, Hunter noticed a calmness from the kids when they were out in the water,” explains Hunter’s mom Lisa, “He’s also found that music has done the same thing for him as surfing has, from Mozart when he was a baby, to music classes as a toddler and music in Elementary school, he’s now being able to perform in a choral ensemble and sing solos for events all over…music has been an instrumental part of his journey with Autism and his road to recovery.”
You can find Hunter on Facebook or follow him via Twitter.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Jalen Rose Leadership Academy: Operation Graduation
Jalen Rose Leadership Academy: Operation Graduation
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~ Nelson Mandela
Today, student orientation is underway at the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA), a public charter high school serving the school districts in and around Greater Metro-Detroit…the mission of the JRLA is to provide a leadership- focused experience within a high-performing high school that engages and inspires Detroit youth to achieve at the rigorous level necessary to ultimately graduate with a college degree.
Founded by NBA great, current ESPN/ABC analyst and infamous ‘Fab Five’ member, Jalen Rose, the Academy is a testament to Rose’s commitment to give back to the community while planting the seeds of success for its class of 2015! Athlebrities is proud to support Operation Graduation and looks forward to the success of its students.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
David Beckham Visits Children’s Hospital
David Beckham Visits Children’s Hospital
Original Athlebrity, David Beckham is in NY to participate in the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game….and yesterday, Sir Beckham took his golden-everything to a New York City Children’s Hospital and gently placed his hand on that little boys head…
Organized by the Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund, Beckham’s visit with the kids was on behalf of the MLS community outreach initiative (M.S. Works) and afterward, the Hope & Heroes Children’s Fund received a $25K donation from MLS Works.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Matt Bonner Spreads ‘Spurs Culture’ on the East Coast
Matt Bonner Spreads ‘Spurs Culture’ on the East Coast
Concord, New Hampshire, native and current vice president of the NBA Players Union, Matt Bonner, took a break from CBA talks today, to make an appearance at the Canterbury Woods Country Club, for the One For the Kids Golf Tournament, put on by the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Childrens Charities.
The Speedway Childrens Charities is dedicated to giving children the same opportunities no matter what they are facing. The SCC aligns itself with people, and organizations based on the local needs of every chapter through caring for children in educational, financial, social and medical needs. Bruton Smith, founder of SCC and Chairman of Speedway Motor Sports and Sonic Automotive started SCC in memory of his son Bruton Camerson Smith, who regrettably passed at a young age.
It’s so refreshing see larger organizations like the SCC using local talent to address local issues.
~Jessica Hernandez*
*Note: This report was filed by my new intern, Jessica Hernandez, who is awesome in so many way. Give her some love…after all, she did counter my ‘Does the NBA Really Care’ with a great example of NBA peeps spreading love during the lockout.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Luol Deng Celebrates with South Sudanese Children
Luol Deng Celebrates with South Sudanese Children
Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng made a lot of kids ‘jubilant’ in Juba, South Sudan’s capital as the worlds newest nation celebrated independence from the North….Deng hosted a hoops clinic for local youth, taught them some skills and gave them encouragement….love, love and love. Check out the video for all the details or visit Ball Don’t Lie. Thanks to Robert Padavick of the Enough Project to End Genocide for supplying this video to Yahoo! Sports.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Jason David’s Charity Weekend
Jason David’s Charity Weekend
The 3rd Annual Jason David Celebrity Charity weekend went down in So-Cal June 23-25 to benefit his Foundation and raise awareness/funds for kidney disease while making over 250 kids smile.
The three day event, hosted by the former NFL player and Superbowl Champion, Jason David, was held in memory of his cousin Shay, who tragically passed away from kidney disease in 2007.
“My cousin Shay endured many surgeries before he passed away which crippled him sometimes to the point where he was unable to walk. My cousin never gave up he fought through all of his surgeries and struggles with the same resolve each time. It is important to me that I continue his fight for the sake of others who suffer from the disease,” stated Jason David, founder and president of JDCF.
Over 250 kids attended the 6th Annual Youth Football Skills Camp portion of the event-for FREE while enjoying hands on coaching, football drills and love from their ‘coaches’ Jason David, Hamza Abdullah (Arizona Cardinals) and Husain Abdullah (Minnesota Vikings).
Jason David’s Corner Foundation (JDCF)
JDCF is a 501©3 public charity and was founded by Covina, CA native and NFL cornerback, Jason David. Founded on the basis of “Bringing Faith and Courage to Every Corner of the Community, JDCF provides guidance to young boys and girls in and around Covina, CA by offering a summer Youth Football Camp at Charter Oak High School. After losing a family member to kidney disease in 2007, Jason decided to donate proceeds from his Annual Celebrity Golf Classic towards the increasing the research and awareness of kidney disease to help promote prevention and ultimately find a cure.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Michael Phelps Motivates Middle School
Michael Phelps Motivates Middle School
Earlier this month, one of our most decorated Olympic swimmers, Michael Phelps, rewarded the students and staff at Wiley Middle School in Leander Texas for holding a unique and successful book fair…as the first place winners in the Spring 2009 National Middle School Contest, they won a visit from Michael Phelps and a $2,000 shopping spree for books.
According to the website, Wiley rightly deserved first place…the creativity and thought put into this book fair is impressive:
- Books came alive at Mrs. Magorium’s Reading Emporium, also known as the spring 2009 Book Fair. The Crew helped transform the media center into a reading emporium, filled with colorful lanterns and parachutes hanging from the ceiling, as well as gigantic stuffed animals, roller coaster toys, and oversized candy displays. To promote the Book Fair, students created door decorations based on their class’s favorite book, and made tri-fold display boards about books. A classroom competition was held for One for Books®, which led to more than $1,500 collected for the program. Other contests to generate student excitement included “Sock It to Reading” and “Hats Off to Reading” days, where students dressed in crazy socks and hats. To attract families, an exciting Family Event was held, complete with a model air plane show from Texas High Fliers, a performance by the student band, movies, and food. Wiley also hosted their first-ever grand slam breakfast for grandparents during the Book Fair. In addition to hosting a fun Teacher Sneak Peek of the Book Fair, Wiley held three faculty stunts to motivate even more students to visit the Book Fair. The wacky stunts included a teacher eating a worm, a teacher shaving his head, and the principal riding a motorcycle once students reached their Book Fair goal. To top off the Fair, had visits from author Phil Bildner and the director of Monsters vs. Aliens Conrad Vernon. All of these activities and events made Wiley Middle School’s Book Fair come alive with imagination and creativity!
And THAT my friends, is how you attract a star athlete to your school.
About Scholastic: Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, has a corporate mission supported through all of its divisions of helping children around the world to read and learn. Recognizing that literacy is the cornerstone of a child’s intellectual, personal and cultural growth, for over 87 years, Scholastic has created quality products and services that educate, entertain and motivate children and are designed to help enlarge their understanding of the world around them.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Michael Phelps & Speedo Visit Boys and Girls Club
Michael Phelps & Speedo Visit Boys and Girls Club
“It was great to spend time talking with all the kids and being able to present them with a donation from Speedo and my foundation.” Michael Phelps
Last month, Olympic gold stud, Michael Phelps, along with Speedo, visited the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx for a special event…
Last year, Phelps coughed up $1M of his own money to start a foundation…its goal is to work with charitable programs to promote water safety and encourage youth swimming. “I feel it’s only appropriate that I continue the momentum that Speedo helped to create by committing my bonus to the establishment of the Michael Phelps Foundation, which I hope will help me inspire others to achieve their dreams, and give back to the sport that has given me so much,” said Phelps at the time. Since then, a Foundation website has not yet been established, BUT, as evidenced by the above video, he hasn’t reneged on his word to keep giving back to others while inspiring us all to become more charitable. Good work Michael…and of course thanks to Speedo for supporting the cause.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Matt Damon, Bono and Lebron James on Entourage
Matt Damon, Bono and Lebron James on Entourage
The greatest performance in Matt Damon’s career occurred on the season finale of HBO’s ‘Entourage.’ In the episode, Damon tried to convince Vince (played by Adrian Grenier) to use his celebrity status and travel on a mission to Ohio to help fight hunger among children for Damon’s ONEXONE organization…Vince couldn’t go but Damon wasn’t about to let him off easy… Showing true dedication to the charitable cause, Damon asked Vince to donate money in a sequence of phone calls and conversations that escalate at times to a heated exchange of words…Damon even hit Vince up via a conference call with Bono, who also hounds Vince into donating because it’s “for the kids.” Simply priceless.
Of course, this isn’t the first we’ve seen of Entourage supporting celebrities and their causes…most recently, Tom Brady appeared in an episode-and while he didn’t plug ‘his charity’ he was playing in a charity golf event. And I expect much more celebrity cameos for charity in the following months. Why? Because it’s become very trendy to be a ‘giver.’ Now, this doesn’t mean that the giving is insincere, it just means we’re going to have to examine what’s inside the heroes we worship in order to figure that out. Sure, it may be difficult to decipher who’s sincere and who’s in it for the glory, but if you do your research you’ll find that most celebrities and athletes who are in the spotlight for their generosity have been doing charitable work for years. Let’s take for example…um, I dunno, Lebron James? Lebron also dropped a cameo in the Entourage finale…which I find highly suspect. Coming from the man who said the only thing he needs to donate to his hometown is an ‘appearance’, I ain’t buying it for a second. In my opinion, Lebron doesn’t care about any cause except that which furthers his image. Athletes making cameos for charity is trendy, hence his appearance. But hey, if it brings attention to Damon’s ONEXONE organization then I guess it’s worth it.
Props to Entourage for stepping it up for the causes…they’ve even set up an ‘Entourage’ page with behind the scenes videos of the actors lending their voice to the cause. But massive props to Matt Damon for effectively getting his message across with a flawlessly funny performance.
This clip rolled at the end of the Entourage final, after Damon has hounded Vince for a check. Be warned, lots of CUSSING it in….
Here’s another clip of Matt Damon directing Adrian (Vince) Grenier as he shoots a PSA for ONEXONE while Jeremy Piven tries to keep the peace…as seen on HBO On Demand… again, lots of profanity…
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
NBA and HP Launch Digital Assist Competition
NBA and HP Launch Digital Assist Competition
HP and the National Basketball Association have kicked off the HP Digital Assist education grant competition…. no, not one that gives me a ‘digital assist’ from Melo, but one for the kids…More than 5,000 students from approximately 100 selected Title 1 middle schools in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, D.C., will compete for grants worth more than $80,000 in HP mobile digital classroom technology, NBA tickets and merchandise, visits from NBA stars and other awards.
Tipping off the event at Jefferson Junior High School in Washington, D.C. was All-Star Wizard Antawn Jamison (L) and NBA Legend Bob Lanier (not pictured)…
In Chicago, Janero Pargo of the Chicago Bulls frolicked with that scary mascot, Benny the Bull, and eighth grade students of Orozco Community Academy…
Here’s how it works: The competition invites student teams to create projects that make classroom concepts real and relevant to the outside world by engaging students to combine the power of technology and the excitement of NBA basketball. In addition to enhancing learning, these projects will allow students to demonstrate how they learn best and—through a public competition website at- www.hpdigitalassist.com – enable other students and teachers to benefit as well. HP and NBA Cares are working with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), which will provide learning kits and judging rubrics for the competition and professional development for winning schools.
Sounds pretty cool to me…as does this little unrelated tidbit…for any of you trying to raise money for charity, there’s an amazing site called First Giving. They help you set-up a fundraiser page and funnel donations directly to your non-profit of choice…I’ve checked out the site, and tons of people are actively doing what we all should be…for example, in October, “Jen” will run her first marathon in memory of a special little boy named Jon-Jon…back in February of 08, I mentioned Jon-Jon…he was diagnosed with brain cancer and lost his battle at the age of 7 on November 16, 2008. Jen met with Jon-Jon’s mom, who asked for donations to go to The Cure Starts Now. This non-profit organization was started by a family who had a child with the same brain tumor, and dedicates their donations to research and treatments for children with brain cancer. You can help by visiting Jen’s ‘First Giving’ page, or by starting your own fundraiser page at First Giving.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Liquid Nation Ball 6: Flea Receives Humanitarian Award
Liquid Nation Ball 6: Flea Receives Humanitarian Award
“Anything that I have ever done, that is good, that is kind, that is helpful…it’s just what you are supposed to do. Nothing I have done is extraordinary or special, it’s just normal and it’s what all of us are supposed to do.” Flea upon receiving the SIMA Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Surfing industry legends and stars turned out in full force last night for the 6th Annual Liquid Nation Ball to honor Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea with the SIMA Humanitarian of the Year Award and raise money for 12 surf-related humanitarian organizations.
The event was held at the ocean front home of Liquid Nation Ball chairman and co-founder, Fernando Aguerre, who should also receive an award for his incredible hospitality and generosity. “The excitement and caliber of this year’s Liquid Nation Ball has taken the fundraising to a whole new level,” Aguerre said prior to the event, “I firmly believe that Liquid Nation Ball 6 will be the best and most successful one yet.” Oh, and it was. From the costumed creature that greeted guests to the never ending crab cakes, empanada’s, skewed chicken and shrimp-(not to mention the numerous open bars and buffets)-it was easy to see why this event sells out every year.
First of all, Aguerre’s home is breathtaking…like a museum. A surfer’s paradise of a museum…the walls are lined with rare, vintage and unique surfboards, as well as some amazing sports related memorabilia-including a Diego Maradona signed jersey and another one signed by the Argentinean soccer team…I was salivating.
But the purpose of the night wasn’t to drool over memorabilia, hot surfers with Aussie accents or soak up the free booze, it was a gathering of like-minded people who have a passion for helping others. The Liquid Nation Ball was originally created by brothers Santiago and Fernando Aguerre to support the humanitarian efforts of SurfAid. In 2006, the brothers donated the Ball to the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Humanitarian Fund and now, the Ball serves as the official fundraising event for SIMA’s Fund…ALL proceeds from the Ball this year benefit: Surfer’s Healing; Keep A Breast; Boarding for Breast Cancer; Jimmy Miller Foundation; AccesSurf Hawaii; Outdoor Outreach; Stoked Mentoring; Life Rolls On; Mauli Ola Foundation; Project Wipeout; SurfAid International and the Sumba Foundation.
Frolicking around the party were numerous celebrity athletes, notably Tony Hawk and Rob Machado. Machado is one of the world’s greatest surfers…and he is also one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. I plopped myself next to him in a cabana, eager to ask about him about his charity work. “I do have my own foundation, “ he told me, “It’s the Rob Machado Foundation. I teamed up with the elementary schools in my neighborhood, and we do environmental education programs, anything from your basic recycling programs and organic farming-we have organic gardens all over the property- and we also sponsor ocean week, which is an entire week where all curriculum is geared around protecting the ocean.” And as any good ocean-loven writer would ask, I had to bring up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: “I’d like to learn more about it, “ he said of the Texas sized wad of garbage floating in the Pacific, “I have a few friends that are working on projects, they’ve gone out to it and they are just blown away.”
I also had the privilege of speaking with Flea (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) about his charity work, his Silverlake Conservatory and how it felt to receive the Humanitarian of the Year Award…instead of transcribing the interview, I’ve opted to simply post the video of his acceptance speech after Tony Hawk and Izzy Paskowitz presented him with the award…Flea is one of the most sincere and genuine people I’ve met, with a deep-found belief in giving back. Simply put, he rocks.
Flea pretty much sums it up there…and might I suggest that next year you buy your tickets to this event the minute they go on-sale. Each year its sells out quicker than the previous year…please visit SIMA for more information or any of the links provided in this post-all the organizations are doing incredible things for our kids and the environment. Special thanks to four-time world surfing champion Lisa Anderson for all her hard work, Mandy Johnson from SIMA, Tony Hawk for finally remembering me, Rob Machado for being a classy stud with great follow through skills, Flea for being who he is and Fernando Aguerre for inviting us all into his home for a great cause.
About SIMA: The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the trade association of competing surf industry product suppliers working together to magnify their power for the development of the surf industry by: Promoting awareness and participation in the sport of surfing, which will result in increased sales of members’ products; Endorsing industry trade shows to assist members in bringing their products to market; Providing programs, services and information that will assist members in improving their business operations; Supporting oceanic environmental efforts through the SIMA Environmental Fund to ensure future growth of the sport and understanding of environmental activism.
About The Rob Machado Foundation: (RMF) is a California based 501c(3) not-for-profit private foundation. Founded in 2005, RMF was created to support charities dedicated to environmental programs within Southern California. Our primary mission is to provide funding and initiate educational programs focused on helping children understand their contribution towards a healthy earth. Annually, in September, the foundation hosts the Rob Machado Golf Experience in Solana Beach, CA as a means to support our efforts.
About Silverlake Conservatory of Music: The mission of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a non-profit organization, is to facilitate basic music education. Our primary focus is on the youth of the community but all are welcome and encouraged to participate. The Conservatory offers private music lessons at a reasonable cost and grants scholarships to children in need, providing free lessons and instruments. The study of music enriches the life of the student as well as the community and society.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Camilo Villegas: Caddy For a Cure
Camilo Villegas: Caddy For a Cure
Remember a little while ago I mentioned Caddy for a Cure was auctioning off a chance to caddy for our kitten, Camilo Villegas? Well, without further ado, here’s the video of Camilo Villegas talking about his experience with Caddy For A Cure at the 2009 Deutsche Bank Pro-Am.
About: Caddy For A Cure is the unique opportunity to help many worthy charities while providing the ultimate in golf experiences, the opportunity to caddy for a PGA TOUR Professional during the practice or Pro-Am round of an official PGA TOUR event. Be inside the ropes with the best players in the world, experiencing first hand their practice regimens. Experience club selection and shot execution to perfection. Experience what it feels like to walk one of the most recognizable courses in golf during an official event! 100% of all proceeds go to: The Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, the Wounded Warrior Project, the PGA TOUR player’s charity, the PGA TOUR host site charity, and the PGA TOUR Caddy Benevolent Fund.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Arthur Ashe Kids Day with Will Ferrell
Arthur Ashe Kids Day with Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell is at it again…the philanthropic funnyman joined tennis players Andy Roddick, James Blake, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Roger Federer and others for the annual Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York.
The fan-friendly event, which was founded 14 years ago, featured a performance from Jordin Sparks and some humorous antics on the court including a mixed doubles match featuring Kim Clijsters and James Blake taking on Ana Ivanovic and Devin Britton with Will Ferrell calling the shots as the chair umpire- dressed as Blake, wearing a headband and bald wig. Priceless. Simply priceless.
Later…Ferrell, Roddick, Williams, Sharapova and Federer participated in a target-hitting contest to raise money for their respective charities…by the end of the contest, a total of $67,000 was raised, with $10,000 benefiting the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network…the NJTL was established in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder to develop the character of children through tennis and education…looks like they’re doing one hell of a job too. Video highlight of the event on YouTube.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Adonal Foyle’s Foundation Refurbishes Public Basketball Court
Adonal Foyle’s Foundation Refurbishes Public Basketball Court
Fresh off the heels of an amazing camp for the kids in SVG, Adonal Foyle and his Kerosene Lamp Foundation have partnered with the Good Tidings Foundation to host a free hoops camp for kids on a court they just refurbished.
The grand re-opening takes places this morning at 10:30 in Oakland, California (98th St. & C St.)…Foyle will be there hosting a free basketball clinic for all the kids in the neighborhood…seriously, what more can I say? Even I have trouble keeping up with all the love he’s been kicking down…thank you Adonal and congratulations for re-signing with the Orlando Magic!
Please visit Adonal’s Kerosene Lamp Foundation for more info, or join his Facebook group to be kept in the loop of love.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Dikembe Mutombo Opens New Centers at His Hospital
Dikembe Mutombo Opens New Centers at His Hospital
He once said he wanted to be remembered for his commitment to humanity…and throughout the years, Dikembe Mutombo has lived that commitment with ease born to men destined to do great things…
Yesterday, The Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center (BMMH), in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) launched two Centers of Excellence at the state of the art medical facility founded by NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo. The two centers, an Immune System Monitoring Laboratory and an Occupational Safety Center for Health Workers, will train more than 300 clinicians and improve monitoring and treatment of patients living with HIV/AIDS.
“The doctors and nurses at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital are saving lives every day and helping improve health care in the DRC which has been ravaged by more than a decade of war and disease,” said Mr. Mutombo at the opening ceremony. “These Centers of Excellence are an important milestone in improving the quality of life for those who live with HIV/AIDS and in training new health care workers to help prevent the spread of disease.”
Around half a million children under the age of five die every year in the DRC, mostly from preventable causes, such as diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, tuberculosis, malnutrition and measles. Over one million people in DRC are living with HIV/AIDS. Sexual violence of the most brutal form has been carried out against tens of thousands, over half of them children…compels me to say we NEED more Mutombo’s in this world, for the sake of the kids and for the sake of the DRC.
Mutombo was joined at the opening ceremonies by UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, BD Executive Vice President Gary Cohen, and the DRC Minister of Public Health, Mwami Mopipi Mukulumany.
“It is such an honor to be here today at the hospital founded in the memory of Dikembe’s mother,” said Ms.Veneman. “He is a true friend of UNICEF and his dedication for his home country is an inspiration to us all. Dikembe continues to give a voice to the voiceless people of Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
About the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation: The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation is dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Foundation strives to accomplish this goal not only by providing comprehensive health care at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, but also through an emphasis on primary health care and disease prevention, the promotion of health policy, health research and increased access to health care education for the people of the Congo. www.dmf.org
About UNICEF: UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. www.unicef.org.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Camp Sundown at Yankee Stadium
Camp Sundown at Yankee Stadium
It’s a struggle for me to write anything good about baseball…that is, until something more important than my distain for the tainted sport surfaces. And last month, the New York Yankees caught my attention as they continued their HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere and Excel) by hosting an incredible event for some very special kids.
These children had the entire place-and players- to themselves as they enjoyed a ‘carnival’ style event which took place at 3 o’clock in the morning. So who would bring kids to Yankee Stadium in the middle of the night, and why would players show up at the hour? Amazing story…the children came from Camp Sundown in Craryville, New York. All of them suffer from a rare disease called XP- xeroderma pigmentosum. Most who suffer from XP don’t live to see their 21st birthday…they can’t even be exposed to the slightest bit of sunshine or they’ll develop cancerous tumors…even fluorescent lights can fry their skin…so getting them to Yankee Stadium was no easy task, but worth every effort.
To get the children from the front door of Camp Sundown to the heavily curtained bus with double-tinted windows that took them to Yankee Stadium, all the kids had to wear hats, tinted eye shields, sunblock, turtlenecks, long-sleeve shirts, long pants and gloves. To get the kids out of the bus and into the stadium, Yankees media-relations director Jason Zillo (the mighty-fine man who dreamed up the idea) – had to take them through a maze of back staircases and tunnels to avoid any fluorescent lights. After the game, the stadium lights had to be dimmed to 30 percent
“I saw one little girl,” said organizer Zillo afterward. “When the centerfield wall opened and the whole carnival started coming out—she just started jumping up and down, over and over. She wouldn’t stop, she was so excited. People wanted to thank me. But that’s all I needed.”
Never thought I’d say this…but thank you Yankees, what an amazing and beautiful gift you gave these kids.
Camp Sundown was founded 14 years ago by Caren and Dan Mahar whose daughter suffers from the disease…there is no cure for XP and there are only 250 known cases in the U.S.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com