| PHILADELPHIA 76ERS? SAMUEL DALEMBERT |
Native of Haiti Continues to Support his Country During Difficult Times
Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert, who is currently the only native Haitian player in the NBA, will donate $20,000 to the relief efforts in his hometown of Port-au-Prince, Gonaives and other impacted areas of Haiti following the destruction caused by Hurricane Jeanne.
The NBA will match Dalembert?s contribution and Sixers? head coach Jim O?Brien will add $1,000 for a total donation of $41,000, which will be given to the Red Cross and earmarked to help those in need in Haiti.
The donated funds will support the overall Red Cross relief effort in Haiti by meeting the urgent and critical needs of the victims of this hurricane such as emergency food, water and supplies.
?The news speaks for itself (what is happening in Haiti), the money is helping everyone in need over there with food, water and other such items,? said Dalembert. ?I feel like it?s the right thing to do.?
?Samuel Dalembert has been selfless in aiding his homeland,? said Kathy Behrens, NBA Vice President of Community Relations. ?Hopefully his efforts will bring a measure of relief during these trying times.?
According to recent reports, the storm is responsible for more than 1,800 deaths, 2,600 injuries and more than 300,000 damaged or destroyed homes.
?In Haiti, hundreds of volunteers and relief workers, including an American Red Cross delegate, have been mobilized to aid in this massive response,? said Douglas K. Allen, Director of the International Disaster Response Unit at the American Red Cross.
Dalembert, who lived in Haiti until the age of 14, still has more than a passing interest in the war-torn country as his grandmother, Hypromene Charle, still resides in his hometown of Port-au-Prince. He remains in constant contact with her and keeps a close eye on the happenings in his homeland.
Dalembert also donated $22,500 this past March to the Red Cross to help support his fellow countrymen with medical assistance and supplies.
Used courtesy of: NBA.com |
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