For the past three months the news, our Twitter time-lines and water cooler conversations have involved in some way a conversation about the current NBA lock-out. With the first two weeks of the season canceled and talks of more delays, many are wondering if we will in fact have an NBA season this year? Certainly that thought is on the minds of players across the country, yet even in the midst of a heated lock out, many players are taking the time to “Give Back.”
The Big Assist is an anti-hunger initiative of The Gametyme Foundation, a nonprofit, in collaboration with NBA players across America. It is one of the most innovative programs available since the beginning of the economic downturn. Through the involvement and leadership of NBA players, The Big Assist inspires, motivates and puts food on the table of families with an overwhelming challenge to meet their daily food and personal care needs.
According to research by Feed America, more than 12 million children under the age of eighteen in the United States are unable to consistently access nutritious food necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Over 16 million children lived in households where they did not get enough to eat. The Big Assist recognizes that poverty has no age, color or gender and that it is the children who are most vulnerable.
To address this issue, The Gametyme Foundation formed a partnership with a network of NBA players led by Keyon Dooling, first Vice President of the NBA Players Association, Point Guard of the Milwaukee Bulks and Ambassador of The Big Assist program. Throughout the year events will take place in various cities, many hometowns of the players themselves or cities in which they play for a NBA Team.
“Our objective is to give groceries and personal care products to underprivileged youth. Our vision is for all children to be healthy, strong, and well educated,” says Dooling.
The Big Assist campaign recently visited Northwestern Senior High with Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat, Hungerford Gymnasium with Courtney Lee of the Houston Rockets, the Northwest Community Center with Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles California with Trevor Ariza from the New Orleans Hornets.
While in Florida, BCG has the opportunity to chat with some of the players. ” I Just helped out so many people, but In reality they helped me out. We gave out food and essentials to families in need and also gave the parents gifts that they didn’t expect. I’m so Grateful to be able to give back and have my foundation and family involved. This was much greater then any game, shot I made or anything else to do with B-Ball! And because its my Dads B-day (R.I.P) it makes it even better to give back cause that’s what he was about,” said Jameer Nelson.
With scripture in mind, The GameTyme foundation was established with a vision focused on providing for the needs and concerns of today’s youth. Specifically, with the goal to nourish the bodies, minds and spirits of impoverished children. GameTyme, which conveys the message, God Answers Me Everytyme.
“Not only is this campaign extremely impactful for the kids but it shines a positive light on The players who are being viewed a selfish at this present time,” says J. Johnson, executive director of the GameTyme foundation.
Through the Big Assist program, the various NBA players host charitable events within their hometown, or respective NBA Team cities, providing disadvantaged youth with essential supplies needed to ensure their successful education, as well as, offering them the inspiration they need to achieve their dreams through encouraging the practice of self-discipline.
Other players that have agreed to participate in The Big Assist include:Drew Gooden of the Milwaukee Bucks, Alonzo Gee of the Cleaveland Cavs, Josh Howard of the Washington Wizards, Chris Wilcox of the Detroit Pistons and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“It’s always good to remember where you came from, I came from the streets like most of these people. And when you get to a certain level,its always good to give back,” says Matt Barnes, Los Angeles Lakers.
To learn more about The Gametyme Foundation and The Big Assist, please visit www.gametyme.com.
