Every single performance was simply amazing and there was a fun, festive atmosphere with give aways and crowd interaction.  The most powerful moment came when Dajuan Eubanks took the mic and began to share his story, some of the things he overcame to find success and the work that he put in to achieve some of his dreams and goals.  You could hear a pin drop when the 6’9 Eubanks placed a red white and blue basket ball next to his Harlem Globetrotter uniform at center court and spoke of travelling around the globe as the premier showman for the most famous basketball team in the world.  As he pointed to his uniform, he spoke about the fact that the uniform has never defined him, he defined the uniform.  He challenged the crowd, made up mostly of residents of the low income housing unit know affectionately as ‘Hyde Park’, to ‘never’ allow your circumstances to define who you are as a person, you define your own destiny.”  The honorary member of the basketball hall of fame, then spoke about the fact that he was a victim of bullying.  He reinforced my challenge to young people that are bullying to consider the repercussions of their actions and asked anyone who may be a victim of harassment, intimidation or any form of physical, or emotional bullying to take action.  He gave them several resources and spoke from his heart about his own experiences, challenges and what he overcame to find success in many areas of life.  I couldn’t have been anymore excited to have the opportunity to expose my community to such a great man.  I’m already looking at next year’s event.  I’m also working to package this program and take it into schools to help educate as many young people as possible on this incredibly important issue.  

 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 about our camp,

 ”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

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6yUKW8Ln1U

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!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VblNe4p6EE