LeBron James, the superstar of the Cleveland Cavaliers has not forgotten his humble roots in the housing projects of Akron, Ohio, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. James funded and organized through his foundation, LeBron James Family Foundation, a unique community outreach effort last week at the University of Akron’s Student Union. The event called, ''Show Time. Meal Time. Family Time'' drew 525 area residents and specifically targeted homeless and disadvantaged children and their families.
Along with a delicious traditional Thanksgiving meal and dessert, tickets to the holiday film Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, courtesy of 20th Century Fox, and an appearance by the Cavaliers' Scream Team. Also included were free Metro passes to get all invited to the event, vouchers for free groceries and movie passes for the upcoming Alvin and the Chipmunks. But the highlight of the event was when Lebron himself paid the families a visit.
All in attendance were overjoyed and quite grateful. Mother of three, Toni Boyce said, ''I think it's great. It was a chance for us to be together as a family. My children are currently in foster care.'' While they are to be formally united in a few days, they will not get to celebrate Thanksgiving together as one of her children will be at work, so they used this opportunity to celebrate the holiday instead.
Reflecting on the event, James commented that, “The No. 1 reason is that it's a great opportunity for families to be together especially at a time like this: holiday time. Yes, it's easy to write a check. But you never see what goes on with the check, I wanted more for these families, to get them excited.'' The thunderous applause and deluge of thank yous given, proved that he gave his community so much joy.
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