COURT TO COMMUNITY: SPURS GIVE & SPURS OUTREACH INITIATIVES

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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#141 » by G R E Y » Sat Aug 3, 2019 5:33 pm

More on LMA's give-back, pay-it-forward initiative for the Boys & Girls Clubs of SA. He bought all the iPads for the kids! Think about how much it means to them to have one, and to get one from LMA:

Aldridge a 6-11 pillar of stability for Spurs

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“It’s amazing,” said Aldridge, who paused his offseason training sessions in Houston to fly in for Friday’s Back To School event. “You always have to give back. There’s a lot of kids out there who need things, everything.”

In a way, Aldridge’s appearance at the Boys and Girls Club marked a return to his Spurs roots.

Four years ago, not long after Aldridge signed a four-year, $80 million deal with the Spurs that at the time was considered a blockbuster, one of his first public appearances was to present back-to-school backpacks to children at the George Gervin Academy.

Aldridge, 34, feels a strong connection to the Boys and Girls Club. Growing up in poverty outside of Dallas, he was a regular at his local branch.

“It was a place I used to go to when I was younger to make me feel safe and keep me out of trouble,” Aldridge said. “(The way) I grew up, I didn’t have much. Having a place like this to go to and having different resources helps make things better.”

Aldridge annually throws a back-to-school party for local children. The event is sponsored by H-E-B, which furnished backpacks filled with school supplies for each child in attendance. Aldridge personally purchased 300 iPads, as well as gift cards to Academy for children to buy new school clothes. He spent an hour Friday at the Boys and Girls club filling and zipping up backpacks, offering high fives and autographs, and posing for pictures with a gaggle of children who had no choice but to look up to the 6-foot-11 All-Star.

When Aldridge arrived with the iPads, the gym at the Boys and Girls Club reached Game 7 levels of joyous cacophony.

“I didn’t want to fly back just for backpacks,” Aldridge said. “Let’s do something even better. Every kid loves iPads these days, so why not?”

https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Aldridge-a-6-11-pillar-of-stability-for-Spurs-14277670.php?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow#photo-18021992

Cutest line in the article: Upon receiving an Ipad,
Exclaimed one girl, who couldn’t have been more than 6 years old: “I’ve wanted one of these since I was little!”
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#142 » by G R E Y » Sat Aug 3, 2019 5:40 pm

These events and the moments they create are so endearing I can't stand it. How do players and those helping not well up when they see these reactions?
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#143 » by G R E Y » Fri Aug 30, 2019 4:17 am

Continuing the spirit of generosity, LaMarcus gave $200 gift cards to ten students from the same San Antonio Boys and Girls Club that he gave iPads to previously. Really good works that these kids will never forget:
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San Antonio Spurs star surprises students with back-to-school shopping spree
LaMarcus Aldridge gave $200 gift cards to 10 children with the Boys and Girls Club.
Spurs star LaMarcus Aldridge surprised students with a shopping spree at a local Academy Sports and Outdoor, Wednesday afternoon.

10 students from the Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio at Calderon were greeted with a red carpet and the Spurs Hype team when they walked into the Academy location off of Northwest Loop 410.

To their surprise, Aldridge followed minutes later with $200 gift cards for each child to get all the back-to-school supplies they needed.

"This is the best surprise ever," 9-year-old Khloe Suarez screamed as she was trying on a pair of pink shoes. Suarez said she thought they were going on a field trip to the park. She made sure to grab a backpack for her brother too.

Aldridge walked around and spoke with each student, during the shopping spree. He said it's his way of giving back to kids and families who would otherwise be without.

"There's a bunch of kids and families that's in need in this San Antonio area," Aldridge said, "so you know just try to do your part."


https://www.kens5.com/article/life/san-antonio-spurs-star-surprises-students-with-back-to-school-shopping-spree/273-a26d826a-191b-4e74-b591-eaf60031af25

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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#144 » by G R E Y » Sun Oct 13, 2019 2:25 pm

Love DeMar's work in this important initiative:
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#145 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 13, 2019 6:26 am

Catching up on very good work that Spurs players have done in their respective communities to support causes near and dear to their hearts. First, this summer newlyweds Patty and Alyssa visited Indigenous Australian communities to help provide much needed water sources in the midst of a drought crisis.
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The town of Walgett, some six hours from where Mills was born, had not received rainfall in over a year. In addition, their only grocery store caught on fire earlier this summer, and the nearest supermarket is almost fifty miles away.

The drought in Walgett left the town without water as early as January.

Without announcement or fanfare, the Aboriginal Australian basketball player swooped in and financed rescue water to the area. His gift included necessary drinking water to the community with a population just over 2,000 people.

https://www.poundingtherock.com/2019/7/29/20746389/san-antonio-spurs-guard-patty-mills-foregoes-honeymoon-to-offer-humanitarian-aid-in-south-new-wales
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#146 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 13, 2019 6:49 am

A month later, Patty launched the Community Water Project:
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A proud indigenous Australian, the 31-year-old Mills helped institute the Community Water Project, which aims to bring a sustainable water supply to far-flung regions of Australia.

Mills teamed with Phoenix-based company Zero Mass, which manufactures hydropanels that produce water out of the air using sunlight. He helped bring the panels to six communities in the Australian wilderness.

“The water that’s accessible (in these communities) isn’t drinkable, or even good to bathe in,” said Mills, who was raised in Canberra and boasts Torres Islander heritage. “So these communities are either getting water trucked in, or they just don’t have it at all. These hydropanels were a good kind of place to start.”

The Clean Water Project will be a godsend there [Walgett], a town official told Australia’s Daily Telegraph.

“It has been tough, but people’s spirits have been lifted because they know people like Patty care and want to help,” Deputy Mayor Ian Woodcock told the newspaper....

Mills calls his most recent trip to the Australian outback “life-changing.” For the people there, who now have greater access to clean drinking water, it could be life-saving.

https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/After-life-changing-summer-Spurs-Mills-14487338.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#147 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 13, 2019 7:05 am

In September, Lonnie and his Lonnie Walker IV Foundation partnered with Reading Area Community College to spread the value of education and help various communities with projects his foundation supports:
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The Lonnie Walker IV Foundation strives to positively impact individuals and families by investing time and financial resources in communities, including but not limited to, Reading, PA, and San Antonio, TX. The LWIV Foundation instills the “NEVER GIVE UP” attitude in these communities with education, sports, and life!

Lonnie Walker IV, through his Foundation, will not only donate money, but more importantly, his time to show and instill in both the youth and adults of these communities that he touches that anyone can live out their dreams by continuing to always work hard, and never give up!

LWIV Foundation will use donations to help fund charitable initiatives. These include, but are not limited to: FREE annual basketball camps, Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, and the LWIV Scholarship Fund.

The LWIV Foundation was founded in 2019 and has already been very successful. We had our first annual LWIV Basketball camp that was made available free of charge to approximately 250 kids from Reading, PA in July 2019. The results and feedback from the kids, parents, and community is what drives The LWIV Foundation to keep giving!

The LWIV Foundation strives to positively impact communities locally, and nationally.

http://lonniewalkeriv.org/
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#148 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 13, 2019 7:28 am

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How to apply - https://www.gamegrowers.com/application

Deadline for applying is November 22, 2019

Nike Game Growers is an exclusive opportunity for 8th-Grade girls to share their ideas on how to get more girls playing sports.

THE PROBLEM
By the time girls reach 8th grade, they are 50% more likely to drop out of sports than boys, creating barriers both physically and socially that can last a lifetime.

THE OPPORTUNITY
It’s time to change the game — and we believe it starts by listening to girls.

8th-Grade Girls team up to complete an online application that shares their ideas about getting more girls playing sports.

Participating WNBA and NBA teams select one team of girls who become their Game Growers.

Game Growers visit Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon and work with Nike and their WNBA and NBA team to create a Game Plan for their idea.

Selected Game Growers Game Plans will be shared during the Game Growers Showcase at the 2020 WNBA Draft.

https://www.gamegrowers.com/
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#149 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 20, 2019 3:41 pm

Rudy has many interests outside of the game, and few more important than this one. At the beginning of the season, he hosted some special guests for a special cause:
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#150 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 20, 2019 7:56 pm

Last season, Derrick joined Pop for the Shoes That Fit program, and this season it was Bryn and the SAPD who joined along and brought excitement and joy to the students and well-deserved appreciation of their teachers:
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#151 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 20, 2019 8:05 pm

More from Pop and Bryn's November 8 visit, what it meant to the kids, and the good work that Shoes That Fit does:
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About Shoes That Fit:
What began in Claremont, California as the vision of one person, has turned into the largest national organization of its kind. Shoes That Fit tackles one of the most visible signs of poverty in America by giving kids in need new athletic shoes to attend school with dignity and joy, prepared to learn, play and thrive. We do this through partnering with corporations and volunteer groups, as well as through individual donations.

Most importantly, we help kids improve their self-esteem and participation at school by eliminating one of poverty’s most visible and debilitating marks.

https://www.shoesthatfit.org/who-is-shoes-that-fit/
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#152 » by G R E Y » Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:05 pm

The Spurs participated in a bigger-than-basketball event recently. Puts things into perspective. There's so much to be grateful for and one way to show it is to extend a hand to others in need. Food banks and their supporters do such good work in their communities and the sustenance extends well beyond immediate needs:
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#153 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 27, 2019 8:12 pm

Rudy continues to support his community in Baltimore, this time with a wonderful new space that provides a safe place for people to gather and play:
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#154 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 27, 2019 8:45 pm

Lonnie's a standout when it comes to community support as well, and he did Reading proud once again with his first Thanksgiving dinner that supported families and brought joy and sustenance in a time when want can stand out all the more:
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“It just fills my heart up; it's pure joy,” Walker said. “It puts me in a real emotional state just because of the situation I was in growing up. I had my times where I didn't know what I was going to eat. There were times we shared certain things for the next three days.

“I know the struggle. I know how hard it is to even come up here and take the turkey and food for Thanksgiving. The ability to impact them and understand where they're coming from means more than just giving back.”

Giving back is why Walker formed the Lonnie Walker IV Foundation to help needy families in Reading and San Antonio. It was the foundation's first turkey giveaway, something Walker plans to turn into an annual event.

He said he also hopes to launch other events to share the good fortune he has earned through playing basketball.

“I feel real blessed about it,” said Luz Sanchez, who received a turkey and the fixings for her and her five children, four of whom she brought to the event. “When the school told me to come over I appreciated the fact they picked us as a family.”

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/lonnie-walker-iv-delivers-turkeys-to-the-needy-in-his-hometown

Walker credited the Spurs with helping him pull off the event.

“The Spurs organization is a family,” he said. “They have my back, so they made sure the transition from landing in Philly to getting to Reading (63 miles away) and getting back was as easy as possible.”

https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Lonnie-Walker-IV-eager-to-bring-joy-14862597.php

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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#155 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 27, 2019 9:16 pm

LaMarcus has been even more engaged with various community aid initiatives this season, and this Thanksgiving outreach to the Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio marks about a half dozen of its kind since the season started. Such a good, lasting impact. Love his commitment to it:
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#156 » by G R E Y » Wed Nov 27, 2019 9:50 pm

True to his word, Lonnie also helped families in San Antonio for Thanksgiving:
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Bearing smoked turkeys, hams, casseroles and new kitchen ware, not to mention Spurs swag and tickets, Lonnie Walker IV, 20, played Santa to five low-income families in the Alazan-Apache and Guadalupe housing projects.

“It was very moving. I’ve never met a Spurs player before,” a star-struck Sandra Castro, her 4-month-old daughter Xena in her arms, said as Walker and a mob of reporters poured into her living room.

Families chosen for Walker’s visit all are participating in the federal Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which is designed to reduce dependence on welfare and rent subsidies.

In order to join, the head of each family must sign a contract and agree to a training program that includes specific long-term goals.

Among the services available are child care, transportation, education, job training, financial literacy and home ownership.

It took the Lonnie Walker IV Foundation, however, to bring the NBA into their living rooms.

While the feel-good event had plenty of corporate support, the idea belonged to Walker, a man mature beyond his years.

“Lonnie expressed interest in giving back to some families in need at Thanksgiving, and we had to make it happen,” said Meredith Collier, a Spurs spokeswoman.

She said H-E-B donated food for the visit.

https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Families-thrilled-with-surprise-NBA-visitor-14865094.php

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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#157 » by G R E Y » Fri Nov 29, 2019 6:20 pm

Recently, DeMar opened up to students and led a discussion about dealing with mental health issues. This is often a vulnerable group and his willingness to speak out is an important example of a positive way to handle and get through trying times:
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and:
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#158 » by G R E Y » Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:48 pm

Derrick sharing holiday cheer with the little ones. Look at their faces!
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#159 » by G R E Y » Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:29 pm

Catching up on Spurs' community good deeds, Derrick is spreading out doing a lot more such work, this time with Special Olympics athletes:
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Re: COURT to COMMUNITY: SBGB & Spurs Outreach Initiatives 

Post#160 » by G R E Y » Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:32 pm

LMA has done a lot of community work so far this season, too, this time he was on hand to support military families:
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