Delivering a speech Thursday that touched on his own dreams and those of children he encounters, Emeka Okafor reached into his vast vocabulary and, in summation, offered one simple word: nudge.
Okafor has always gotten a needed nudge, be it from parents, coaches or teachers. And now he has given UConn and the city of Hartford a big nudge.
Okafor, a standout student and basketball player at UConn now with the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, donated $250,000 to UConn's Neag School of Education in support of the Husky Sport Program in Hartford. Husky Sport uses UConn students as mentors in nutrition, education and life skills, working directly with elementary school students. The program operates at the Kelvin D. Anderson Recreation Center, Hartford Catholic Worker House and Clark Elementary School, where Thursday's announcement was made.
"I think sometimes people underestimate the value of having someone to nudge you along," Okafor said. "These people [in Husky Sport] are there as examples. They're there to hold these kids' hands. ... You can see how important it is for a child, in the developing stages, trying to find out who they are and what they can be, to have that nudge and motivation. It's OK if you don't play for the Rockets. You can still be a rocket scientist. It's OK if you don't play for the Rams. You can be a veterinarian."
Okafor, who turns 25 today, continued on about making the right choices and being able to depend on a supporting cast in pursuit of any goal. Then local dignitaries and those involved with Husky Sport took the stage, applauded Okafor's achievements and expressed thanks for his willingness to give back to a community that has embraced him.
source : courant.com
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