Samuels 'shares his blessing'
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:
National basketballer Samardo Samuels, who recently signed a multi-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers and is set to make his debut at the start of the 2010-11 National Basketball
Association (NBA) season, has established a back-to-school initiative to help needy students in his home parish, Trelawny.
"He knows that times are hard for many families and he just wants to make a difference in their back-to-school arrangements," revealed Jacqueline Samuels, the basketballer's mother. "He plans to make this initiative an annual one."
The effort is to be called the 'Samardo Samuels Back-to-School Give Back', which will be staged in the form of a fun day this year. It will take place next Tuesday at the Elliston Wakeland Youth Centre in Falmouth, starting at 9 a.m.
"Unfortunately, he will not be here this year because his team started training yesterday (Monday) and since he is tipped to be in the starting five, he has to be there," said Mrs Samuels. "We (Mrs Samuels and her husband, Roan) his parents, will fill in for him but I am sure a time will come when he will come here and do it himself."
School supplies
According to Mrs Samuels, just about every kind of school supplies - books, bags, pencils, pens, etc - will be given away. In addition, the children will have bounceabout and music as added attraction, and will be feted with ice cream and other goodies.
"The idea is to get the kids and their families into a good frame of mind going back to school," stated Mrs Samuels. "Samardo has been blessed and he wants to share his blessings with others."
Samuels, who started his basketball career at Muschett High School in Trelawny, enhanced his profile in the United States after earning a scholarship to St Benedict's High School in New Jersey, where he was a standout.
He later enjoyed two successful seasons of collegiate basketball, while representing the University of Louisville.
The 21-year-old Samuels, who stands at 6'9" and weighs 260lb, bypassed his final year at university to go professional, citing need to help to provide for his family as his main reason.
When the NBA season starts, Mrs Samuels said she and her husband plans to visit the United States to watch him make his debut.
"I have every intention of being there to watch him making his NBA debut," said Mrs Samuels. "It is going to be a dream come true for the entire family."
