Ball Drive Rings In Another Year

 

“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you,” the Greek philosopher and sage Epictetusadvised, “whose presence calls forth your best.”

 

In this space today I therefore welcome the company – or at least the words and spirit – of Mother Teresa, Julius Gius and Chuck Thomas.

 

Let me begin with Chuck, the longtime sage and philosopher of this Saturday column who passed away four years ago on this date. He once wrote: “If there’s someone whose friendship you treasure, be sure to tell them now — without waiting for a memorial service to say it.”

 

In a similar vein, Chuck wisely said, “Help someone today because you may not have the opportunity tomorrow.”

 

Helping people, specifically local disadvantaged children, is the aim of Woody’s Holiday Ball Drive that officially kicks off again today.

 

The inspiration for this endeavor was twofold, beginning about 20 years ago at a youth basketball clinic when former Ventura College and NBA star Cedric Ceballos awarded autographed basketballs to half a few lucky attendees.

 

Leaving the gym afterward, I happened upon a 10-year-old boy who had won one of the prized keepsakes – and was dribbling it on the rough blacktop outdoor court and shooting baskets, perhaps imagining he was Ceballos all the while. Meanwhile, the real Ceballos’ Sharpie signature was wearing off.

 

Curious why he hadn’t carefully taken the trophy basketball home to put on display safely in a bookshelf, I interrupted his playing to ask.

 

“I’ve never had my own basketball to shoot with before,” he answered matter-of-factly between shots.

 

Months later I thought of that boy – and boys and girls like him who don’t have their own basketball to shoot with, or soccer ball to kick or football to throw – and bought one of each to donate. The following year I doubled my giving but wished I could help at least 100 kids have a merrier Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.

 

            As mentioned, my Holiday Ball Drive had two seeds of germination. The second was Julius Gius, the late, great editor of this paper and esteemed humanitarian. Gius’ lasting legacy of leadership and philanthropy includes creation of the The Star’s annual Christmas Bellringer campaign that to date has raised more than $1 million for the Salvation Army.

 

Instead of asking readers to drop loose change and bills into a holiday kettle, I was inspired to ask them to drop off a brand new sports ball for a kid in need.

 

You dear readers have responded like true MVPs – Most Valuable Philanthropists – by donating thousands of new basketballs, soccer balls and footballs over the ensuing years. Kids “with” have even helped kids “without” by raiding their piggybanks or cashing in recycled aluminum cans.

 

A great thing about a basketball, football or soccer ball as a holiday gift is that no batteries are required. Also, unlike most toys, a rubber ball is all but unbreakable.

 

A greater thing is this: studies show that youth involved with sports do better in school and are less likely to drop out. Girls, additionally, are less likely to get pregnant in their teens and more likely to have higher self-esteem.

 

In the Introduction to a collection of his “Editor’s Notebook” columns that he self-published in 1988, Gius wrote: “I have had a rich and rewarding life. Everything has come up roses for me. . . . I count my blessings every day and wish them for everyone.”

 

If you similarly have been blessed, I beseech you to be uplifted by Julius Gius’ example and before Christmas drop off a new sports ball at a local Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Special Olympics chapter, church or temple. The organization directors will pass the gift balls into deserving young hands.

 

(If you do help deck the halls with balls, please let me know of your gift by e-mail at woodywriter@gmail.com.)

 

Mother Teresa famously said: “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” Together, calling forth our best, we can “feed” a hundred children or more this holiday season.

 

Repeating Chuck Thomas’ wisdom, “Help today because you may not have the opportunity tomorrow.”

 

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Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for the Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com. His new memoir WOODEN & ME is available at www.WoodyWoodburn.com and Amazon.com.