The media likes to highlight the most sensational and newsworthy entertainment happenings to both grab the attention of readers, and hopefully keep them coming bak for more. But every now and then, a story comes along that may not grab the headlines, but needs to to be told. And sometimes, they may put a celebrity in a completely different light.
This morning, one such story came to my attention.
Charles Barkley is best known for his basketball prowess, speaking his mind on just about anything, his sub-par golf game, and his well documented fondness for gambling. But few people know of his philanthropic spirit, and the things he has done to change the lives of those less fortunate.
One such event occured while he was eating lunch yesterday. Impressed with the attitude and work ethic of a busboy in the Philadelphia restaurant where he was dining, Barkley offered to pay the young man’s college tuition.
The Philadelphis Daily News reported, “Sir Charles told [Christian] Abate he would like to help him with his tuition, and Abate wasn’t sure how to respond. Barkley didn’t give him much time, telling Abate that he had the length of Barkley’s meal to decide. Abate wisely accepted.
“He’s a nice kid,” Barkley said of Abate on Friday. “He was working with kids, I loved that he wanted to be a teacher, and I wanted to help him.”
This is not the first such impromptu donation Sir Charles has made to the underprivledged. He has been known to have purchased homes for single mothers, and has given more than $3 million to schools in his home state of Alabama.
You may not like his golf swing, but you’ve gotta love his heart.
5 comments:
So many other people are in a position to do what Barkley did. I never liked him as a player. Can't stand him as a commentator. But I love this investment he's making into this kid's future.- It's the heart that matters.
Roschelle
P.S. I dropped on your card. Hit mine too please
Thank you Sir Charles for walking the talk ! Just like there are needs all over the world, there are needs in the United States that can be satisfied by the wealthy. Somehow, their attention is turned every where but right under their noses.
We need to hear more of these stories. It is good to see that some people are giving back to others!
This is a great story! What a wonderful use of wealth.
Wow! Now I'm a Barkley fan (a little late, huh.)
Great blog you got here :-)
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