Source: WRAL Sports Fan Wall, WRAL Sports Fan Moton/McMillan
Atlanta Hawks head coach and Raleigh natives Nate McMillan, Los Angeles’s newly acquired guard John Wall and North Carolina Central head coach LeVelle Moton took time just before the start of the new school year to do their part in providing local students with the necessary tools needed to be successful in the classroom.
At many locations across Raleigh including The Boys and Girls Club, Lions Park, The Salvation Army and Durant Road Elementary School, thousands of backpacks, pencils, notebooks, shoes, clothing and fresh haircuts were available to families preparing for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Nate McMillan hosted his drive at Lions Park in Raleigh, a place McMillan has referred to as his second home. LeVelle Moton held his distribution at The Boys and Girls Club on Raleigh Boulevard and refers to the basketball courts there as the place that saved his life.
Both Raleigh legends give back often to the community because they know what it is like to go into a school year and not be able to afford the necessary items needed to have a successful school year.
John Wall held his distribution at Durant Road Elementary School and then spent time at the Salvation Army of Wake County where his late mother Frances Pulley spent most of her time volunteering and giving back. Pulley died of cancer in 2019 and John has continued to honor her by giving back to the Salivation Army every year.
“Just treating Salvation Army like it was part of our family,” Wall said. “I mean, that’s how much she loved this place. She loved giving back [to] them, so to give her, her recognition and her flowers while she was here and while she was gone meant so much to me and my family.”
This year, Wall’s foundation presented the Salvation Army with a check, and a garden was dedicated in honor of his mother. Wall brought over 500 hygiene kits for donation and also held a basketball camp for kids of the Salvation Army. Wall was not done after he gave out free gas at a local gas station and even helped pump gas for customers.
Good luck to all of our future leaders of tomorrow heading back to school!
