Today I read an article on ESPN.com about the incredible work Jonathan Bender is doing to help rebuild New Orleans. In addition to making the transition from hoop star to businessman, Bender has used his notoriety and wealth to help hurricane victims. I was inspired by his story and instantly thought that his efforts were causing "a lil bit of change."
ALBC applauds citizens who capitalize on their God given abilities and then convert those blessings into gifts for others. To us, that's "a lil bit of change." People shouldn't be satisfied with merely optimizing their abilities and enjoying the awards received because of them; we should all strive to do more as we're given more. That's not us trying to preach or to be deep; we just believe that for someone who has accumulated a lot, what is a lil bit to them could do a lot of good if passed on to others with less who strive for a better life.
"He could have squandered his remaining millions or succumbed to depression over being labeled a "has-been" before his 25th birthday. But [Bender] was also an entrepreneur who'd watched the business-savvy NBA team owners, thinking 'I can be like them.'"
He always knew he was different.
A long-limbed forward with a 39-inch vertical leap, Jonathan Bender stood 6-foot-7 by the time he was 13 years old. When the soft-spoken teen graduated from Picayune Memorial High School in rural Mississippi, those who saw him play called him the next Magic, the next Jordan.
But Bender, skilled enough to forego college for the NBA, had struggled with his arthritic knees, which soon became his Achilles' heel. After only six professional seasons, he had to walk away from basketball.
For the full article click: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=JonathanBender-080923&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos1
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