Category: Making A Difference

Bobby Portis and Julius Randle partner up with Hello Fresh to assist City Harvest feed the multitudes effected by COVID-19

Brandon King

From the Knicks team news: NEW YORK, NY (March 27, 2020) – New York Knicks teammates Julius Randle and Bobby Portis have joined forces with HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal-kit company, to donate $180,000 worth of meals to City Harvest, New York City’s private response to hunger and largest food rescue organization, to help feed New Yorkers who are struggling to put meals on their tables amid the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, Randle and Portis are each contributing $50,000 to support City Harvest’s operations, which will altogether help feed more than 370,000 New Yorkers in…

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New Balance Foundation Pledges $2 Million toward Coronavirus relief efforts

Brandon King

The New Balance Foundation has pledged two million dollars in an effort to help mitigate the negative effects that COVID-19 has had on various locales. Below is a release from the Foundation: BOSTON, MA – March 24, 2020 – Boston-based New Balance Foundation today announced it has committed $2 million in non-profit grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support local, regional and global communities. “We firmly believe it is our civic duty to support our communities in need around the world,” said Anne Davis, managing trustee New Balance Foundation.  “As…

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Making a Difference: Sneaker drives donates over 100 pairs of sneakers to California school

Brandon King

A conversation resulted in some students at North Highlands California’s F.C. Joyce K-8 School getting some much needed shoes.. Danielle Jones , who is known as “Coach Buckets” was relaying a conversation she had regarding a student . Jones recalled, “I look at his feet, and he’s wearing slippers. He didn’t have sneakers. The story reached Tom Tran , who is a basketball director with the NorCal Dynasty AAU basketball program, who decided to get involved. A sneaker drive was organized and within a few days over 100 pairs of…

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Lebron James sends food truck for Getty Fire first responders

Brandon King

I have been critical of Lebron James, but also complementary when it is warranted ( that’s called being objective people!). I must tip my cap to the brother for this act. As I type these words, the well-publicized wildfires are still raging on. The fires have consumed over 76,000 acres and are only 15% contained. It has also necessitated the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people, including James and his family, while power outages have left millions in the dark, with a third power cut by Pacific Gas&Electric could leave 4…

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Making A Difference: Michael Jordan unveils first of two Charlotte medical clinics

Brandon King

From the Associated Press  CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An emotional Michael Jordan unveiled the first of two medical clinics he and his family funded in Charlotte, North Carolina, that will provide care to underprivileged members of the community. The six-time NBA champion and Hornetsowner was on hand Thursday for the grand opening of the $7 million Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic. Tears streamed down Jordan’s cheeks as he said, “this is a very emotional thing for me to be able to give back to a community that has supported me over the…

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Making A Difference: Lebron James gives over 800 pairs of sneakers to “I Promise” students

Brandon King

The students at Akron’s I Promise School were recently in for a treat- 800 pairs of sneaker’s from the town’s most famous product. Lebron James provided the school with 800 pairs of his Lebron 16 sneakers. The students had their choice of ten different colorways, which were given to the youngsters to inspire them to “keep pushing.” The I Promise School opened in 2018 and has done well since its birth.

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Making Kicks Count: Albany State University athletics teams up with Soles4Souls on Shoe Drive

Brandon King

On October 1, the Albany State University Athletics Department and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) teamed up with SOles4Souls on a shoe drive. The drive seeks new and gently used shoes of all sizes and styles. The shoes are processed and distributed by Soles4Souls for those in need. Donations can be dropped off at the Athletics Department on Albany State’s East and West Campus. Since its founding in 2006, Soles4Souls has collected over 30 million pair of shoes that have been donated in 127 countries around the globe and works…

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Making A Difference: Odell Beckham Jr. donates kicks to high school

Brandon King

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr’s antics sometimes overshadow his prodigious talent. Tuesday, his penchant for getting attention were pointed in the right direction. Youngstown Ohio’s Chaney High School football team was dissolved in 2010 and as they prepare to return to the gridiron, they got a boost from the All-Pro wideout. The team was doing a tour of the Browns training facility when Beckham not only surprised the team by meeting them but also donated over 100 pair of his Air Max 720 to Cheney High School football…

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Making Kicks Count: Manhattan joggers gives sneakers off his feet to homeless man

Brandon King

Typically when we report on stories in which people take of their shoes it usually not of their own volition. This is certainly not the case with the actions of this mystery New York man. A recently posted video shows a runner in New York’s financial district giving the shoes and socks off his feet to man seated on a sidewalk grate. The clip was posted to Twitter by user @NYorNothing , shows the the altruistic act by the runner, who then walks away barefoot. The user, who when speaking…

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Making A Difference: Kawhi Leonard and Clippers donate 1 milllion book bags to local school children

Brandon King

Tuesday Kawhi Leonard announced that he has been working with both the Clippers and local non-profit Baby2Baby to donate 1million book bags to Southern California students.  “My goal this year is to make a meaningful contribution both on and off the court. This felt like the right way to get started. It was important to me to make this announcement in my hometown of Moreno Valley at my former elementary school, but the benefits this program will have across all of Los Angeles makes even more special.” Leonard’s announcement came…

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