Athletes, especially those who play in the NBA, are extraordinary and exceptional talents. What often goes forgotten though is the fact that they are normal people just like you and me and because of their platforms, they are able to do amazing things to help the community around them.
While he may devote a vast majority of his time every single day to becoming a better player and aiding his team, Atlanta Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu is constantly helping those in his local community, especially with an organization called Kate’s Club in Atlanta.
“I’m working with this group from Atlanta called Kate’s Club. It’s an organization that helps kids, young adults and families who are struggling with the loss of a loved one,” Okongwu told Fastbreak on FanNation in an exclusive interview recently. “Growing up, I can relate to that. I lost my father in 2021 before my birthday and I lost my older brother when I was 13. I can really relate to these people in the organization.”
Losing a loved one is perhaps the hardest thing anyone has to deal with in life and through this organization, children, teens, young adults and their families are able to find comfort and counseling from others who know what it is like to grieve.
Whether it is making friends or just having an extra outlet to go to and reset their mindset for the day, Kate’s Club is a welcoming place that Onyeka has really helped make a difference at.
“Right now, I am just trying to build a playground and a basketball court for the kids. Any way that I can give back and show love to the organization, I am going to try and do,” Okongwu went on to say. “All of these people are going through the hardest thing in life and I wish I had this support system in place when I was grieving, so any way that I can help, I am going to do so to the best of my abilities.”
Celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, Kate’s Club has helped empower more than 10,000 families, volunteers and professionals through the years and the more help they get from warm-hearted people like Onyeka Okongwu, the more help they can give to these kids and their families who desperately need someone to turn to when facing life’s toughest challenge.
Helping Kate’s Club has been something Okongwu holds dear to his heart and just last year, the Hawks' big man was honored as the 2022 Mourning Glory Gala Honoree by the organization.
Whether it is building playgrounds and basketball courts for the youth of the organization or simply being there as a role model, Onyeka Okongwu looks to make a difference in the lives around him every single day and he has made it his mission to continue valuing life and not taking anything for granted.
To learn more about Kate’s Club and how you can help alongside Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu, be sure to visit katesclub.org.
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