Generous Act Helps Library Stay Open
Heat Star DeWayne Wade Donates Funds To Local Illinois Library - One of the catch phrases known in professional basketball is "The NBA, where caring happens." Well needless to say that the caring goes beyond doing charity work alone. Back in August, the staff and patrons at a Library in Robbins Illinois gathered outside to pray in front of the library to make a public plea to President Obama for assistance. The Library's director had discovered that the Library was quickly running out of cash as a result of an ailing economy and was facing a possible closure by the end of the August unless financial assistance could be provided. With the help of funds raisers, and donations from a Skokie Library along with federal grant money the library was able to remain open past August but they would still need more.It just so happens that a certain former Robbins resident, DeWayne Wade, had been keeping tabs on the financial situation surrounding the library in the neighborhood he grew up in as a child and decided that he wanted to give a hand in any way that he possibly could. His foundation contacted the library to see how much would be needed in order to help the library remain open. Being true to his word, a day later, the NBA superstar arrived at the library and presented the director with a check in the amount of $25,000. Wade stated he remembers what it was like growing up in Robbins not knowing where his next meal was coming from and that he felt it was important for children growing up in impoverished neighborhoods to have opportunities to get ahead in life. He also mentioned the importance of having access to the Internet and that having knowledge was power. Needless, to say, his act of generosity reduced the director, Priscilla Coatney to tears. In her own words "at time when others only care about themselves, this young man has returned to save our library." Coatney is hoping the donation will enable to Library to stay open until October when she should begin receiving funding for property taxes.
|
|