From the Vault: LeBron Living the Dream

This story originally appeared in the June 206 issue of akronlife (then called Akron Life & Leisure).

For the first time since 1998, the Cleveland Cavaliers were headed to the NBA playoffs, and the excitement was palpable. Droves of fans flooded into Quicken Loans Arena and were given goodie bags containing rally towels and black T-shirts with “WITNESS” sprawled out in stark white letters above a Nike swoosh. This was LeBron James’ playoff debut, and everyone there was a witness, including me.

Like loyal subjects, fans cheered for King James, chanting “MVP” as James grabbed and handed the referee a gold balloon that floated onto the court, briefly stopping the game in the first quarter. That interruption didn’t break his stride, though. James’ charisma and self-confidence on the court were electrifying as his 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists led the Cavs to a 97-86 victory over the Washington Wizards.

After the game, James dutifully met with the press before he retreated back to the locker room. I waited in the hall along with other members of the media and friends and families of the Cavs. Slowly, players began to trickle out and head home. James was one of the last players to exit the locker room. A crowd gathered around him as I waited patiently for my chance to interview “The Chosen One.”

Despite being exhausted from his legendary performance, fighting off a head cold, mourning the loss of his godmother earlier that week and getting bombarded by people after the game, James greeted me with a smile as he shook my hand and asked if I enjoyed the game. Although I didn’t get the face-to-face interview I hoped for, a busy James graciously answered my questions via e-mail later that week. The day before, I had a chance to talk with James’ mother, Gloria, over the phone about her work with the James Family Foundation, this month’s King for Kids Bike-a-thon and her relationship with her son.

Helping Hands

An Akron native, 21-year-old LeBron has been interested in helping others as far back as his mother can remember. “At one time we also had a lot of help from others,” Gloria says. “He just hasn’t forgotten.”

As a result, in 2005 LeBron and Gloria created the James Family Foundation, which helps children and families, particularly those headed by single parents. “We want to help less fortunate mothers and kids in the community financially,” says Gloria, who adds that her goal is to help as many families as possible and make their lives a little bit easier.

Chris Dennis, executive director of the James Family Foundation, says LeBron always dreamed of going to the NBA, and once that dream became a reality, he wanted to give something back. “They always talked about what they would do if they were in a better position,” says Dennis, who has known LeBron since he was 11. “The foundation is really a combination of how LeBron and his mom show their love for the community.”

Ride On

This month LeBron and Gloria will show that love through the second annual King for Kids Bike-a-thon, which will be held June 24 in downtown Akron. Gloria says LeBron conceived the idea for the fund-raising event. “That was LeBron’s baby,” she says. “He actually worked out during the off-season riding bicycles to stay in shape. With that, he came up with the event. It was something different than what other athletes were doing” Gloria says, adding that fitness is important to her son. “He’s a big physical guru. I definitely was on board and agreed [with the idea]. It has become a huge success.”

Dennis says the bike-a-thon is an ideal event because it combines LeBron’s love for kids with his love for cycling. He adds that LeBron doesn’t do events without kids and that the star is more involved than people think. “He helps us pick out how things are going to be laid out and gives ideas for routes,” Dennis says. “He’s as hands-on as he can be. He put me in a position to direct things, but he wants to be kept informed.”

That hands-on involvement is important, Gloria says. “It’s not the same unless we participate,” she adds. “Anybody can write a check or donate things, but it’s more special if you’re there.”

And you can expect Gloria and LeBron both to attend this year’s bike-a-thon. “They want people to know they’re real people,” Dennis says.

Expectations are high for the second annual bike-a-thon. “We want to do even more,” LeBron says. “More bikes to give away, more kids and families riding and more activities down at Lock 3.”

Last year, the event raised more than $200,000 for local charities, and this year they hope to surpass that amount. “The more we get, the more we can help,” Gloria says. In response to the amount raised last year, Dennis says: “We better beat it. This was our first year. Like LeBron as a rookie, we did pretty good—but our second year is going to be better.”

Some of the organizations set to benefit from King for Kids include the Akron Urban League, the Akron Area YMCA and the Salvation Army. “I can only see [the bike-a-thon] getting bigger and better by the year,” Gloria says. “We just want to help as many people as we can.”

The James Family Foundation is receiving support from the local community in addition to NBA stars and national sponsors. J.R. Smith of the New Orleans Hornets and Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat already have committed to participating in the bike-a-thon, and Dennis says several other athletes have shown interest in the project.

Riders will receive a King for Kids T-shirt along with other prizes based on the amount of pledges they collect. The first 3,000 registered riders, ages 12 and older, will join LeBron and other NBA stars on the 8-mile route through downtown Akron.

To get more young children involved, LeBron and Gloria have added a 3-mile “Family Friendly Route” to this year’s event, which has a limited number of spaces for children ages 8 to 11 accompanied by adults. Families with up to six members receive a discounted registration rate and are expected to turn in pledges for each rider. They, too, are eligible for pledge incentives.

Also new this year is the partnership with Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Live. “Windows Live is going to give an opportunity to show a bird’s eye view and bike-level view of the ride while it’s taking place,” Dennis says. “You’ll get a virtual tour of Akron before the race, during the race and after the race. No matter where you’re at in the world, you’ll be able to connect for the King for Kids ride this year. That’s pretty dynamic.”

This year’s ride begins with an opening ceremony downtown and ends with a community celebration, open to the public, at Lock 3 Park. “You want to be at the start this year. We’ve got some surprises happening at the start of the race,” Dennis reveals.

Reaching Out

The bike-a-thon is only one way the James family supports communities. LeBron says his goal for the foundation is to “continue our efforts to help children and families in communities around the United States.” One way the foundation meets its objective is through a program with the Summa Women’s Health Center. Recently, Gloria attended a reunion for 20 teenage girls who gave birth at the beginning of the year. The foundation gave the girls $50 gift cards to Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. “I can relate as a single parent,” Gloria says. “I had a child at that age.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the foundation provided victims with more than $200,000 in supplies, which LeBron and other members of the foundation helped load and deliver. Gloria and the foundation invited one family to attend February’s All-Star Game in Houston, and they continue to maintain a relationship with the family.

The James Family Foundation also is forming a basketball league for men ages 18 to 24. Focusing on more than just basketball, the foundation will offer a variety of resources to its members. “We’re looking to support them in reaching some of their goals and objectives, whether it’s helping guys obtain a GED or get into college, employment resources or helping them to obtain or re-obtain their driver’s licenses,” Dennis explains.

Whatever else the future holds for the James Family Foundation, you can be sure that LeBron will be there. “He loves doing this stuff; he gets into it,” Dennis says. “All the programs we do, he shows up.”

LeBron also will stay busy this month hosting the first annual King’s Academy, a summer basketball camp for boys and girls ages 8 to 18. The camp takes place at the University of North Texas June 16-20 and at the University of Akron June 22-26.

“This has always been a lifelong dream, and I’m looking forward to coaching youths on how to play the game and the importance of teamwork in sports and in life,” LeBron says.

Campers can choose between overnight and day sessions and will have access to modern indoor facilities. With the help of an elite coaching staff—including St. Vincent-St. Mary Head Coach Dru Joyce—LeBron will instruct campers in the basic fundamentals of basketball. He’s excited about the opportunity to work with kids on a one-on-one level and says he wants his young fans to “respect your elders, be a good person and continue to learn.”

Mother’s Pride

It’s no secret to anyone who has read up on LeBron James that he and his mother have a close relationship. “My mom is my role model,” he says. “She has always been a major factor in my life.”

And LeBron has been a major factor in her life, too. “He was born a star to me. He means the world to me,” says Gloria, adding that her son is a blessing to her. “I am honored to be his mom.”

If he weren’t in the NBA, LeBron says he would “be in college with the rest of my friends.” But whether LeBron was a struggling college student (which he’s not) or the youngest player in NBA history named Most Valuable Player in an All-Star Game (which he is), that wouldn’t change this mother’s love for her son. “I would be as proud no matter what he did,” Gloria says. “Off the court, he’s a great person and I’m extremely proud.”

This story originally appeared in the June 206 issue of akronlife (then called Akron Life & Leisure).