It’s always a good thing to see NBA players and athletes in general give back to a good cause. While many of them are living comfortable lives, those that choose to spend their money or time for the benefit of others show a level of selflessness that transcends their on court contributions.
NBA veteran Drew Gooden has long been an advocate for community service, and is the founder of the self titled Drew Gooden Foundation. In addition to his own organization Gooden has also been linked to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Earlier today while he was hosting an event for the children in his foundation he was joined by a pair of NBA stars that he’s played with at various stages of his career.
Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose, and former NBA player Larry Hughes were on hand in Richmond, California to interact and treat the kids of the Foundation to a fun filled day. Rose and Hughes are also known to be heavily involved in community service projects in their own respective hometowns of Chicago and St. Louis.
Shout out @drose and #LarryHughes for coming out to Richmond, Ca to support @DrewGoodenFDN #community#newgeneration pic.twitter.com/pWmVZtLkav
— Drew Gooden (@DrewGooden) June 30, 2014
The Drew Gooden Foundation is dedicated to empowering those in need by providing resources to improve their mind, body, and spirit.
As a 12 year veteran in the league, Gooden has been teammates with dozens of players. Gooden is a journeyman that has spent plenty of time playing for several NBA franchises, and seeing two of his former teammates support him and his organization is a testament to the ties that he’s made. Larry Hughes and Gooden played together in Cleveland first, and he would later play with Rose during the star point guards rookie season in Chicago.
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To Drew Gooden Foundation :
The Pleasantville NJ (P.A.L) AAU Boys Young Runners Basketball Program has begun its 2014/2015 AAU basketball season, and along with your support, we hope to have an exciting year for our program.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, our goal is to tighten the bond between the police officers and the youth in our community. The AAU basketball program that we provide are designed to encourage sportsmanship, life skill, and self-esteem in a structured atmosphere, along with personal guidance in a safe and friendly environment. Last year our kids played in old tee-shirts while the other teams played in new uniforms and team sneakers. It hurts my heart to see our kids play in old tee-shirts as uniforms. We had a local business donate funds to our 14&under boys team at the end of our AAU season. But that business had close down and we have more kids in our program. We need your help .Our goal is to keep the kids off the streets and give them a chance to see other towns and play against kids from all over the country. Our AAU program has strict academic requirement for all participation in our program. They must carry at least an (80 average for the full year and participate in our academic program during the summer.) We provide assistance in the major course to assist in helping kids pass their exams and avoid summer school. Also we are most proud of our kids from the comments we receive from other team and people as we travel to local AAU tournament relation to how organized and respectful our kids are as compared to other big name AAU organization. We also have three player’s who will attact much attention this coming high school/AAU basketball season.
Our organization is asking for assistance from your organization that is willing to provide team sponsorship. sneakers sponsorship, to our AAU basketball program.
We greatly appreciate any support given by your organization. If you need any further information or have any question concerning the Pleasantville NJ (P.A.L.) AAU Boys Young Runners Basketball Program Please feel free to contact us at 609.428-9862 or you can contact me at [email protected].
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sincerely,
Cornelius Cherry.
Head Coach of the Pleasantville NJ
Police Athletic League
AAU Young Runners Boys Basketball Program