Category Archives: Man Candy Monday

Won’t He Do It! Shaquille O’Neal Covers Funeral Expenses for Teen Who Accidentally Shot Himself

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Shaq played a savior of sorts this Easter holiday.

Lord knows the family of Malachi Hemphill needed one.

After learning their 13-year-old son accidently shot himself while handling a loaded gun during a livestream Instagram video.

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WXIA reported that his friends watching the video had warned Malachi to put the safety on the gun, and it went off as he proceeded to do so.

“I heard a big boom,” his mother Shaniqua Stephens told the outlet. “I just knew that it was something that was wrong.”

Malachi was found by his mother and sister.

The Atlanta-based teen died Wednesday at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Thursday evening Shaquille O’Neal visited the family to give his condolences and offer to pay for the funeral.

“We just broke down and started crying because Malachi didn’t have any insurance,” Shantirea Bankston, Malachi’s godmother, said.

“We weren’t prepared to bury him this young. We didn’t have insurance for him. So to have that from Shaquille O’Neal it was a blessing and very touching, and we appreciate everything he do for the community.”

 Shaquille O’Neal released a statement saying he was willing to help to ease some of the family’s unimaginable pain.
“No mother should have to go through this,” he said. “I can only imagine the pain that she and all of Malachi’s family must be feeling.”
Hopefully, no other mother will have too. We’ll be praying for you, fam.

 

 

NBA Star Kyrie Irving Gives Second Chance to Sick NJ Boy | Chance the Rapper Inspires Investment in Chi-Town

Kyrie Irving has more than his NBA teammates backs. The Cleveland Cavalier also takes care of those reppin’ his junior high school alma mater—The Patrick School.

Upon learning 12-year-old Spencer Joyner was missing school due to a rare brain disorder—where spinal fluid leaks into his skull and cause excruciating headaches–Irving paid for his entire $11,000 tuition bill and medical bills.

The New Jersey native has been back in school for a month and still thriving from the boost Irving gave him.

“I would thank him for all the things that he’s done, paying for my tuition, paying for my medical bills,” Spencer said.

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Irving isn’t the only superstar to open his wallet and hope to make a difference. As you all know Chance the Rapper has been laying down a lotsa stacks to improve Chi-town public schools. This weekend he let his friends in on the act.

Like Seattle Seahawks player Michael Bennett, who vowed to donate his endorsements to the effort.

I was inspired by Chance The Rapper to ‘think bigger’ when he pledged one million dollars to Chicago kids and their school system. So, I’ll be joining him by investing in the future of our youth.

Chance even influenced the Chicago Bulls head office to write a $1 million check to the cause. Chance was even there to watch the check being presented to the schools.

The Chicago Tribune reports 12 Chi-Town schools will receive an extra $10,000 as a result.

At the announcement, Chance said “It is my job, just as who I am, to bring light and attention to public school funding, broken formulas and especially how it affects my hometown … where there’s 90 percent minority students.”

Chance the Rapper Chicago’s Mayor.

King of Hearts! LeBron James Launches Shoe for Disabled Athletes

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Even LaVar Ball would agree this is the real legacy LeBron James should be leaving for his sons and daughter–helping those that need it the most.

And King James did just that with today’s launch of Nike 10 Soldier FlyEase sneaker–designed to cater to special needs kids of all ages–in Cleveland.

How?

The kicks were the brainchild of 12-year-old Matthew Walzer, who penned a letter to Nike CEO in 2012 describing how difficult it is tying his shoes because of his cerebral palsy. Nike revamped the shoe to include a zipper all the way around to get in and out easily.

Kids from the Cleveland Clinic Hospital for Rehabilitation were given their very own FlyEases’ by LeBron today at the Cavs practice facility. LeBron emphasized the impact the kicks would have on independence and performance.

“It’s about us empowering every kid and everybody to understand that we are all athletes,” James said. “Sport, in general, should never be taken away from any kid.”

 

 

Chance The Rapper Donates $1 Million to Chicago Public Schools

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Aside from making good music, Chance The Rapper is always looking to help his city of Chicago in any way he can. In his boldest move yet, Chance announced that he is donating $1 million to Chicago Public Schools during a press conference at Westcott Elementary School earlier today (see the full video below). “This check that I donated is a call to action,” Chance says. “I’m challenging major companies and corporations in Chicago and across the country to donate and take action.”

The news arrives after his meeting with Illinois governor Bruce Rauner last week, where they talked about public education and more.

Finally, some good news for Chi Town.

Written by Joe Walker OnSmash.com

Orlando Bloom Visits Impoverished Children Affected by Boko Haram

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Orlando Bloom may be taking a break from set life, but his good works are in full effect.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador visited south east Niger recently to meet with families displaced as a result of Boko Haram.

“As a father, it is hard for me to imagine how many of these children are caught up in this conflict. During my trip I have heard dreadful stories about children fleeing on foot, leaving everything behind, including the safety of their homes and classrooms,” said Bloom, who first travelled to see UNICEF’s work in 2007.

capturing the spirit of Niger's children with @unicef. captured by @vtremeau

A post shared by Orlando Bloom (@orlandobloom) on

Look to the Stars reports Katy Perry’s bae spent time with teens like Amada Goni, 14, whose family lives in a refugee camp in Garin Wazam, after Boko Haram raided their village and recruited most of Goni’s friends as child soldiers.

Now Goni goes to a UNICEF-supported psych group where he confronts his trauma.

capturing the spirit of Niger's children with @unicef. captured by @vtremeau

A post shared by Orlando Bloom (@orlandobloom) on

“When I go there to play, I feel good, I feel relieved, I feel much better. It helps with the nightmares,” he told Bloom.

“It is extremely hard to comprehend this situation when you are not there. I saw the depth of the pain and suffering these kids are going through. This is not something any child should experience,” said Bloom. “However it was amazing to witness the smile on Amada’s face as he played basketball with his friends. This is the result of UNICEF’s work.”

Bloom documented his adventures on Instagram and urged his fans to donate to UNICEF to save more children.

 

Buffalo Bills Player Marcell Dareus Takes Philanthropic Sojourn to Haiti

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Buffalo Bills tackle Marcell Dareus wanted to do more than donate $25 Gs to Hope for Haiti charity. The NFLer wanted to see how it was spent.

So he hopped a flight and landed in his father’s homeland this week. Where he visited orphanages, schools and a hospital, reports AL.com

The Alabama native got a warm welcome from the island nation that is still reeling from October’s Hurricane Matthew and the powerful 2010 earthquake that left thousands homeless and dead.

“I’m happy that I’m able to partner with Hope for Haiti, which is giving me the opportunity to meet and understand the people who are benefiting from my support,” Dareus said . “… I love giving back, especially to kids in need, but this is extra special because I’ve never been on a trip like this before. The Haitian people have seen hardship after hardship with the earthquake and then the hurricane. Being able to meet with them and show them that I care about them is really important to me.”

Hope for Haiti charity–that aims to improve the lives of Haitian children through education, health care, water and infrastructure–was happy to see their philanthropic partner in person.

“We are inspired by the generosity of Marcell Dareus and the Dareus Foundation for their investment in the Haitian people,” said Skyler Badenoch , the CEO of Hope for Haiti. “Without the support of investors like Marcell, Hope for Haiti’s work would not be possible. We are so grateful and we look forward to making an immediate and lasting impact together.”

The service-oriented sojourn already had a major influence on the star player for his father’s roots there. Marcell’s dad died before he entered the NFL.

“My dad grew up in Haiti, and I always hoped I would make it there some day,” Dareus said . “Although my dad died when I was younger, I’m lucky to have other family here in the States that have told me stories since I was a kid about life in Haiti. Being in a position to not only visit, but also make a donation that will really impact Haitian kids and their families is a great feeling. I know it will be an eye-opening trip.”

Looks like it was.

Big Sean Donates $100,000 to Flint Water Crisis Relief

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D town’s own refuses not to let the water crisis in Flint, Michigan be off news feeds.

So, Big Sean shared his philanthropic scoop on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Wednesday: he donated $100,000 to Flint water crisis relief through his foundation.

Despite the AP reporting Flint’s lead levels below the federal limit, residents are still encouraged to drink bottled water. Big Sean says the city is still in a precarious situation.

“It’s not even close to being over,” Big Sean said. “That situation wasn’t a natural disaster. It’s something that should’ve been prevented and could’ve been prevented, so it’s just disgusting to think about the damages that these families and even kids have to go through with the lead poisoning.”

The “Bounce Back” rapper revealed his mom suffered from a bout of lead poisoning, but luckily could reverse it through holistic medicine.

What will be a constant is Big Sean’s love for his hometown. Last night, the rapper held a cozy album first listen party for I Decided in Detroit.

Annnddd featured the Flint Chosen choir On his album. Telling Rolling Stone he wanted to “reach out and show some support from that side, creatively. It’s a song called ‘Bigger Than Me’ and once you hear it you’ll see why I wanted them to be on it. But I was just happy to have Flint be a part of my album in that way as well.”

For us regular folk, I Decided will be released on Friday, February 3.