 In his rookie season of 2005, Chris Paul created the CP3 Foundation in order to provide charitable support to the causes close to him and his family. Since the CP3 Foundation began, thousands of people have been affected by Chris Paul’s commitment to assisting those in need. Funding generated by the CP3 Foundation has fueled a long list of Paul’s benevolent projects that have provided food, housing and education.
Rather than setting aside just one day to support the causes close to his heart, Hornets Guard Chris Paul dedicates an entire weekend to a series of fundraising events benefiting his hometown of Winston-Salem, NC. Since the event began three years ago, Chris Paul’s Winston-Salem Weekend has been a city-wide community service initiative celebrating family, faith and community.
The third annual Chris Paul’s Winston-Salem Weekend was held September 18th-21st with a four-day line-up of eight community events hosted by Chris Paul’s CP3 Foundation. This year’s events included a special concert featuring Ludacris, the annual Day of Service, Banker’s Ball, youth basketball clinic, bowling tournament and Church Service and Social.
The Winston-Salem Weekend’s Day of Service speaks volumes about the generosity that fuels the CP3 Foundation. On Friday, September 19th, local teens and community members volunteered alongside Chris Paul at multiple service projects including the dedication of an enhanced learning center, Special Olympics basketball game, Meals-on-Wheels deliveries and a food-distribution with Feed the Children.
“Finding ways to give back to Winston-Salem has always been a priority for me ever since I was drafted by the Hornets,” Paul said. “The Day of Service is a great opportunity to expand our efforts to include more organizations and help more people in the area.”
While Chris Paul’s Winston-Salem Weekend is the player’s signature fundraising event, Paul still strives to expand his charitable work throughout the basketball season. Paul’s involvement in his true hometown is rivaled only by his hands-on approach to improving his basketball hometown of New Orleans.
“Chris is a superstar on and off the court,” said Hornets Owner George Shinn. “He has become an ambassador for New Orleans to the entire world and displays his commitment to this community by dedicating his time, resources and energy into this city’s future.”
photos courtesy of the CP3 Foundation
Each Thanksgiving, Chris Paul provides complete holiday meals for local families. In years past, he has collaborated with fellow-players such as Bobby Jackson, David West, Tyson Chandler and Jannero Pargo. In 2007, the CP3 Foundation partnered with Smithfield to distribute 12,000 pounds of meat to the 100 families represented at the Turkey Giveaway.
During the holiday season, Paul also makes it a priority to give generously to individuals who might normally go without Christmas gifts. In 2007, he and teammate Bobby Jackson took 100 students from the Dryades YMCA on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday shopping spree at Toys R’ Us. Each of the 100 children was awarded 100 dollars to purchase Christmas gifts for themselves and for their families.
After seeing the NBA’s commitment to establish a series of Reading and Learning Centers throughout New Orleans leading up to All-Star Weekend 2007, Chris Paul was inspired to collaborate with friend, Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, to establish a center of their own. In January 2008, both players unveiled the “Sylvanie F. Williams Elementary School Family Resource Center.”
Paul and Wade donated computers, appliances, furniture and decorations that would offer the students, families and staff of Sylvanie F. Williams a place to change their school for the better. Since the unveiling, hundreds of students have had a positive-safe haven to read, learn and relax. Parents have also been able to utilize the internet-ready room to find job opportunities.
CHRIS PAUL’S WEB SITE: www.chrispaul3.com
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