The most tragic of the children -- the ones with arms broken, the
babies already exposed to crack cocaine, the ones so endangered by their
family environment that removing them is the only alternative -- those
are the residents of McLamore Center. It is these kids who have
captivated Alonzo Mourning, that make giving not a choice, but an
imperative.
Mourning was an orphan; he knows what even a little bit of love
means. But to agencies such as Children's Home Society of Florida, the
generosity and hands-on work of Mourning has had an even greater impact.
"If he wasn't as giving as he is, we would not be able to provide the
quantity and quality of services we provide," says Carla Penn, vice
president of CHS' southeastern Florida region. His foundation has handed
out more than $2 million in donations, grants and economic benefits; the
majority has gone to CHS.
"There are a lot of young people out there who, if given the chance,
will have successful lives," says Mourning. "You can have an impact not
just through dollars, but also through giving love and comfort to kids.
I know a little love went a long way with me. I am trying to use myself
and other people to help the less fortunate, especially the young ones."
Every year, the foundation renovates a park in South Florida. It
sponsors four rap sessions annually where athletes and businessmen
interact with needy kids, providing advice on everything from peer
pressure to coping with violence. It gives generously to 100 Black Men
in Florida, an organization that provides mentoring, leadership guidance
and other services for at-risk minority youth.
Now it has joined local businessman Marty Margulies to bring life to
a nearly completed $3 million community center in Overtown, one of the
poorest and most crime-ridden areas of Miami. Margulies is building the
center, which should open in the fall. He has asked Mourning to run it
for him.
"Overtown has over 3,300 kids, and 1,500 drop out of school," says
Mourning, the superb Heat center. "It is a sad situation that has been
ignored long enough. I know if we structure this center right, it will
have an impact on a lot of kids' lives so they can make more of
themselves."
It will cost at least $500,000 a year to staff and run the center.
Mourning currently is raising the funds through private donations. He
also is seeking a $5 million federal grant.
He has grown accustomed to working with these lofty amounts. He was
diagnosed with a rare kidney disease in 2000. Since then, he has raised
$1.2 million for research and support related to the problem -- and then
matched the donations dollar for dollar. Funds for his foundation come
in large part from his annual Zo's Summer Groove, a weekend-long
extravaganza in Miami that includes a gala dinner, celebrity basketball
game, clinics, counseling and a free block party for local residents. A
smaller fund-raiser also is held in Hampton, Va., near where Mourning
was reared by a foster mother who eventually took care of 49 children.
"When you see him come in and get down on the floor and play with our
kids, it is so very rare," says CHS' Penn. "He is making a difference."
TSN'S GOOD GUY PICK:
Derek Jeter
GOOD GUYS BY SPORT:
MLB: Carlos Delgado | All
NFL: Jerome Bettis | All
NHL: John LeClair | All
NBA: Alonzo Mourning | All
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