Come out on Sunday September 26th at 2pm and enjoy a show like you’ve never seen before! Performers include, myself, former Harlem Globetrotter and member of the basketball hall of fame, Dajuan Eubanks, Crusher from the Maine Red Claws, the 7’2 Ricky Lopes, Slam Dunk phenom “Kenny Dobbs” and the most decorated mixed martial artist to ever step foot in the State of Maine, 2010 USA Karate team gold medalist, member of the Martial Arts Hall of fame… Grand Master Ed “The Hitman” Hall!  We’ll be holding this event at the  Hyde Park playgrounds to raise awareness about bullying. Martial Arts demonstration from “Team Extreme” and brick breaking from Grand Master Hall.  Our guest speaker is basketball legend, Dajuan “Big Piece” Eubanks.  This man has an amazing story and we are so privileged to have him come and speak!  Autograph signing, Music by DJ Crosby, Papa John’s Pizza, Frendly’s ice cream, prizes, giveaways, games and contests for kids all ages!!

Games include…   

 
1) Dress and dash contest
2) Dance contest
3) A low rim dunk contest
4) A foul shooting contest
5) Relay races……… and so much more  

Don’t miss out on the fun!

 This was the very first camp that I’ve held for folks with special needs and it couldn’t have possible gone any better!  I’ve found over the years that the game of basketball can be an amazingly powerful vehicle to help those who live with developmental challenges to overcome many of the obstacles that they often struggle with. Communication, working together as a team to accomplish a goal, following the instructions of a coach or captain, sportsmanship, learning to win and lose gracefully, respect etc. The game instills a sense of self confidence and can boost the self esteem of anyone who is willing to work at it!
My hope is to do more camps like this in the future.  I’ll be reaching out to schools and agencies around the state this year, to work more with their young people and adults with special needs.  I hope to be able to show people just how therapeutic the game of basketball can be!  There are so many things that the game can teach us all about life!  The game has a way of rewarding hard work and punishing you if you don’t put in the work you should.

I thank God that over the past 11 years I’ve been blessed to be in a position to see this game touch the lives of some of God’s most precious creatures and I look forward to working with our friends with special needs in the future through this great game of basketball!

Click on this link for Times Record story “A Dream That You ‘Swish’ May Come True” Special Needs Camp Story

The Harlem Superstars game at the Bath Middle School was a huge success.  Some have said that the Bath Middle School has never held more people than it did on March 25th 2k10!  The game was scheduled to start at 6:30pm and by that time the gym was absolutely jam packed, kids sitting on the floor, standing room in the lobby and there was still a line out to the parking lot!  We had to turn a ton of people away unfortunately.  It was a fundraiser for my new charity, “White Shadow Outreach.”  It was alot of work but it was worth every single minute.  I was able to make a donation of half of my proceeds to a great local charity, The Odyssey of the Mind.  From the honor guard to Ed Hall’s Martial Arts Demonstration Team to the Woolwich Wildcat cheerleaders and the fun personalities on The Dream Team, it could not have gone any better! Looking forward to next year’s game.

The salt in his shoes~the Michael Jordan story

Earlier this week I had opportunity to read “The Salt in his Shoes”~ the Michael Jordan story, to the 3rd grade boys at Phippsburg elementary school the other day.  Jordan’s story can be a very powerful tool to talk to kids about the values of hard work, perseverance and never giving up on your dreams and goals.  After reading the book, I shared some things with the boys that have helped me and they were very receptive.  We had a great time and I look forward to coming back next month to visit with the 4th graders.

Where: The housing unit affectionately known as “Hyde Park” the brick buildings just behind Shaw’s.

When: 4pm to 6pm.

 Here’s a list of games and events that will be held at our event:

1) Ed Hall will be performing a brick breaking demonstration.

2) DJ Creamer will have a dance off with prizes for the finalist (all ages)

3) Ed Hall is looking for a long jump champion who can perform the longest running side kick.

4) A panel of judges will be voting for a winner of our “Low Rim Dunk Contest”

5) I’ll be challenging the shooters to a 3 point and foul line hoop shoot contest.

6) A dress and dash- selected contenders will dash to dress in my warm ups/size 13 sneakers, grab a ball and make a lay up in the least amount of time.

7) There will be toddler hoop for the ‘little’ ones and SO much more!!!

PRIZES:

“White Shadow Showtime Basketball” Tee Shirts

Basketballs

White Shadow Dvds

8×10 Master Hall and White Shadow pictures

We hope to see you and yours at this years “Family Fun Day.”

 More importantly, I was able to talk to the kids about the dangers of bullying and peer pressure, as well as the rewards of caring for others and befriending those in need, through the powerful story of the young man to whom the Maritime basketball courts were dedicated three years ago.

 Jason was widely known for his concern for others and often called “a superman for the underdogs” in his school and community.  I was fortunate enough to work with Jason for 4 years and I’m just trying to keep his memory alive by recognizing  members of the community and students from area schools, selected for the embodiment of Jason’s ideals.  We were able to raise money for the “Help a Kid Foundation” which funds after school activities for children in the community, through a silent auction and raffle.  William Shuttleworth spoke from the heart to the kids and let us know a little bit about his foundation which is currently supporting over 250 children in the area. 

  

 

Below is a short video from our event

Our Superintendent of schools William Shuttleworth’s “Help a kid fund” supported ten of our campers this year.  So we’re going to have a car wash, bake sale, art and lemonade sale to raise money for the foundation that supported so many of us.   We’re going to turn in our old sneakers, shoes and unused toys, as well as non-perishable foods so we can donate them appropriately to the outreach organizations in our community.   My hope is that if we can expose these kids to the people in our community that are reaching out to those in need, then maybe some of them can experience the rewards of giving back!

Performing in Somerset New Jersey

I had the opportunity to share my testimony and perform at a Youth Conference for the Somerset Bible Baptist Church in Somerset , NJ a couple weeks ago.  It was great!  There were about 500 teens in attendance, and it was such a great feeling to be able to encourage the teens there and have a small part in the great things that the Lord was doing at this conference.  The preaching was amazing and I felt the hand of God on all that they were doing there. I talked with Bob Hooker and Reno Likins (two of the guest speakers) who both have ministries that reach thousands and thousands of people all over the world, about my basketball ministry and they both offered to help me get things off the ground.  My hope is to use showtime basketball to set the stage for young people to come under the sound of the gospel.  If I can use basketball to help children/teens realize their need to accept Jesus as their savior, I can’t imagine anything more important than that! 

I’m excited to put my talents in God’s hands and get back to doing his work!  Because if there’s anything that I learned from my near-death experience after complications from a back surgery a little over a year ago, it’s this:  only the things that you’ve done for the Creator, in the time he’s allowed you to have on this earth, is all that will truly matter when it’s your time to meet Him. 

I don’t try to pretend to be anything more than a dirty rotten sinner saved by His grace, but I just thank God for the opportunity I had in Somerset NJ last week to encourage some teenagers with my testimony.