One of the NBA’s brightest stars Al Jefferson, of the Minnesota Timberwolves, hosted his first annual Charity Basketball Camp for his hometown of Prentiss,
Mississippi. As part of a week of service, he also coordinated a Family Fun day presented by Bumpers Drive-In and partnered with Feed The Children to disperse almost $40,000 worth of food and personal care items at the South Pleasant Baptist Church. “If I can help just one kid realize his dreams, that’s what this is all about.” For the Family Fun Day event, in addition to Bumpers Drive-In, Al brought in inflatable games, carnival activities, and a DJ from Backyard Bounce to give the campers and their family an event to remember. Campers were also given gift bags with products donated from Vitamin Water, Nike and the PBS program, The Electric Company.Local media personality Mitch Williams of WDAM in Mississippi was quoted as saying, “This is the like nothing we’ve ever had this is a wonderful event for the community. We thank Al for giving back and truly caring about where he’s from.” On Saturday August 1st Al was on hand with international non-profit Feed The Children to provide $40,000 worth of food and personal care items to 400 families in the Prentiss area. The current varsity team of his alma mater Prentiss High School volunteered to hand out boxes at the South Pleasant Baptist Church. Al grew up in the small town of Prentiss, MS leading the Prentiss Bulldogs to a State Title before being drafted to the NBA right of high school. The goal of his camp was encourage the next generation to follow their dreams and to give back. “I know that I would not be where I am without basketball, and without this community,” said Jefferson. “If I can help just one kid realize his dreams, that’s what this is all about.”
“We are so happy to be able to get the chance to work with Al Jefferson,” said Larry Jones, president and founder of Feed The Children. “To growing boys and girls across the country, Al is a role model and what better way to set a great example than by helping hundreds of families. We thank Al for his support and for working with us to help change the lives of hundreds of families today.”