Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Smiles all around at Wilkins’ fourth ‘Fun Day’
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Kids were running around with smiles plastered on their faces whether they were playing musical chairs or racing down a giant inflatable slide.
All those smiles at Saturday’s Fourth Annual “Fun Day” event, held in the field across from the Boys & Girls Club, put a big smile on the face of Damien Wilkins.
The Washington native, and star with the Seattle SuperSonics, was thrilled with the turnout.
“It seems to get more and more special,” Wilkins said. “More and more people come out, we get more and more support from the community and it starts to mean a lot more to me with every one of them.”
Kids and adults were able to eat and partake in a raffle, while Wilkins later signed autographs for his fans.
Wilkins feels blessed that he’s in the position to give back to his community.
“It always means a lot,” Wilkins said. “To just see the smiles on the faces and to see the excitement in the community when I’m home (is great).”
Wilkins said it feels good that he doesn’t have to put on a show when he’s home.
“I can always come back here and just be Damien,” Wilkins said. “I can just be the guy who I was when I was running around here getting in trouble every day.”
While Wilkins has returned home each of the last four years to give back to Washington, there’s much more giving that he does. It’s all part of his DYNAMIC Foundation, which stands for Developing Youth Needs Athletically Artistically & Mentally Increasing Confidence.
The foundation’s mission statement is “to make a difference in the lives of youth utilizing the fundamentals of athletics, the arts, and community leadership to increase confidence on and off the playing field. We will coach individuals in these fundamental skills to help enhance their social, mental, and academic capabilities. Ultimately, our goal is to create a dynamic environment for youth that will help them take charge of their dreams.”
Wilkins has also helped youth in Seattle and Atlanta.
“One thing we’ve done in Seattle is a scholarship giveaway,” Wilkins said. “We did a poetry slam where kids came and read. It was something that they put together, that they created. It was something to show their creativity artistically.”
In Atlanta, Wilkins teams up with Ludicrous on Labor Day weekend for special events. Wilkins has also held an Adidas Christmas shopping spree in Seattle, paid for Beaufort County Boys & Girls Club members to attend the Sonics’ game in Charlotte last season and talked with kids in Atlanta who were struggling in school with the hopes of helping to turn their lives around.
“We’re really just trying to do our part,” Wilkins said. “We’re not trying to do too much. We’re not trying to over-budget ourselves. I think me and my staff have common goals, which is to help educate and to help kids get on track if they’re off track, and if they’re on track, to keep them on track.
“Hopefully, they’ll learn the importance of giving back to their community, learning the importance of continuing to learn and be good role models in their respective communities.”
Through all the giving that he does, it’s obvious that his “Fun Day” event is special to his heart. And it’s becoming more and more popular in Washington as the turnout grows each year.
“That’s very special,” Wilkins said. “It means a lot. They’re just showing their support, showing their interest and they’re showing that they care about these kids just as much as I do.
“Ultimately, that’s who it’s for. It’s just something I want to do for the kids to inspire them. Hopefully, when they make it and achieve their dreams and goals, whatever those goals may be, they can give back to their respective communities.”
Wilkins is already looking forward to next year’s fifth “Fun Day” and third basketball camp.
“I haven’t stopped yet,” Wilkins said. “I don’t intend on stopping.
“Hopefully, we can keep it going and keep the interest there. I’m hoping it continues to get bigger and bigger.”
All those smiles at Saturday’s Fourth Annual “Fun Day” event, held in the field across from the Boys & Girls Club, put a big smile on the face of Damien Wilkins.
The Washington native, and star with the Seattle SuperSonics, was thrilled with the turnout.
“It seems to get more and more special,” Wilkins said. “More and more people come out, we get more and more support from the community and it starts to mean a lot more to me with every one of them.”
Kids and adults were able to eat and partake in a raffle, while Wilkins later signed autographs for his fans.
Wilkins feels blessed that he’s in the position to give back to his community.
“It always means a lot,” Wilkins said. “To just see the smiles on the faces and to see the excitement in the community when I’m home (is great).”
Wilkins said it feels good that he doesn’t have to put on a show when he’s home.
“I can always come back here and just be Damien,” Wilkins said. “I can just be the guy who I was when I was running around here getting in trouble every day.”
While Wilkins has returned home each of the last four years to give back to Washington, there’s much more giving that he does. It’s all part of his DYNAMIC Foundation, which stands for Developing Youth Needs Athletically Artistically & Mentally Increasing Confidence.
The foundation’s mission statement is “to make a difference in the lives of youth utilizing the fundamentals of athletics, the arts, and community leadership to increase confidence on and off the playing field. We will coach individuals in these fundamental skills to help enhance their social, mental, and academic capabilities. Ultimately, our goal is to create a dynamic environment for youth that will help them take charge of their dreams.”
Wilkins has also helped youth in Seattle and Atlanta.
“One thing we’ve done in Seattle is a scholarship giveaway,” Wilkins said. “We did a poetry slam where kids came and read. It was something that they put together, that they created. It was something to show their creativity artistically.”
In Atlanta, Wilkins teams up with Ludicrous on Labor Day weekend for special events. Wilkins has also held an Adidas Christmas shopping spree in Seattle, paid for Beaufort County Boys & Girls Club members to attend the Sonics’ game in Charlotte last season and talked with kids in Atlanta who were struggling in school with the hopes of helping to turn their lives around.
“We’re really just trying to do our part,” Wilkins said. “We’re not trying to do too much. We’re not trying to over-budget ourselves. I think me and my staff have common goals, which is to help educate and to help kids get on track if they’re off track, and if they’re on track, to keep them on track.
“Hopefully, they’ll learn the importance of giving back to their community, learning the importance of continuing to learn and be good role models in their respective communities.”
Through all the giving that he does, it’s obvious that his “Fun Day” event is special to his heart. And it’s becoming more and more popular in Washington as the turnout grows each year.
“That’s very special,” Wilkins said. “It means a lot. They’re just showing their support, showing their interest and they’re showing that they care about these kids just as much as I do.
“Ultimately, that’s who it’s for. It’s just something I want to do for the kids to inspire them. Hopefully, when they make it and achieve their dreams and goals, whatever those goals may be, they can give back to their respective communities.”
Wilkins is already looking forward to next year’s fifth “Fun Day” and third basketball camp.
“I haven’t stopped yet,” Wilkins said. “I don’t intend on stopping.
“Hopefully, we can keep it going and keep the interest there. I’m hoping it continues to get bigger and bigger.”
 |
||
| Kids flock to see hometown hero |
