Look To The Stars News: Dikembe Mutombo

More Donations For Mutombo

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:32:56 -0000

Last week, Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander donated $500,000 to Dikembe Mutombo’s hospital in the Congo. And the next day, during the teams Tux & Tennies Charity Gala, Alexander raised the bar on charitable donations and kicked in another $250,000.

After honoring Mutombo for his career and charitable contributions, the Rockets owner admitted he was purposely setting a higher standard for fundraising and hoped to rally some high bids on the silent and live auction items. And it looks like it worked too – in total, the event raised an incredible $800,000 to benefit the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation.

Rockets Honor Dikembe Mutombo

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:44:52 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

After 17-seasons in the NBA, Dikembe Mutombo is considering retirement, but it’s his off-the-court efforts that were the basis for a special event last week.

On Wednesday the Houston Rockets center was recognized for his humanitarian efforts during a special halftime ceremony. NBA Commissioner David Stern and Rockets owner Leslie Alexander honored Mutombo in a heartfelt tribute, which was followed by a standing ovation, a massive donation to his foundation and a Tux & Tennies Charity Gala.

“What can you get the man who could be the reincarnation of Mother Teresa,” teammate Shane Battier said. “I don’t think there is anything we could give him to signify how much we love him as a teammate and how much he means to the NBA. Honestly.”

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander handed the big guy a check for $500,000 to benefit the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital that Mutombo built in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Alexander then used the Rockets Annual Tux & Tennies Charity Gala to benefit Dikembe’s foundation and hospital.

“When Dikembe asked me to use this as an event for his cause, he showed me a video of people in Africa going to a hospital,” Alexander said Thursday. “They bring their own mattress. They walk in. There’s nobody there. There’s no drugs. There’s no medicine. There’s no facilities. There’s nothing. When you’re sick, you know how sad you are. I could just imagine in America walking into that same thing, how horrible they would feel. It shakes your bones. It (Wednesday’s donation) meant a great deal. It meant he could buy many goods and medicines for the people of the Congo. He is part of the Rocket family. To help him was really special.”

Mutombo’s humanitarian efforts have garnered a nod from both the current President and former President Bush. During his 2007 State of the Union Address, George W. Bush said: “Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth, or the duty to share his blessings with others. A friend has said of this good-hearted man: ‘Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things.’ And we are proud to call this son of the Congo a citizen of the United States of America.”

Mutombo was present at the speech and later commented, “My heart was full of joy. I didn’t know the President was going to say such great remarks.”

Former President George H.W. Bush held a courtside seat for Wednesdays game and spoke at the event.

“There’s not many times people can get an occasion to have a former president to be the guest speaker for a function,” Mutombo said. “I think I was lucky enough to have that relationship and to have Les Alexander host this dinner and to make the gift to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation … I just want to thank God for all His blessings,” he said. “I was very emotional seeing all my family members, my friends, my fans and the owner…you don’t get too many special nights like this. I’m just so happy, and I’m very lucky.”

He said he hoped fans would remember him as a man who did his best both on the court and off. “As someone who made a difference,” he said.

It’s hard to imagine Mutombo NOT making a difference. His remarkable charitable efforts span five different continents and he personally contributed $15M to build the hospital in the Congo.

“I was there at the beginning and watched what he wanted to do,” NBA Commissioner Stern said. “I was there for his first meeting with Nelson Mandela. I’ve been in love with him ever since…when we did our mission statement, we said basketball is No. 1 and social responsibility No. 2. NBA Cares could be Dikembe Cares because he sets the standard for social responsibility.”

Mutombo’s charity work should certainly land him a spot in the history books as one of the most noteworthy humanitarians of our time. Aside from establishing the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation and building a hospital, he’s earned an NBA Humanitarian award; was named one of the ‘Good Guys in Sports’ by the Sporting News for two years in a row; he’s won the President’s Service Award, the nation’s highest honor for volunteer service; he’s participated in Basketball Without Borders; he paid for uniforms and expenses for the Zaire women’s basketball team during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta; he is a spokesman for the international relief agency, CARE (relief); and is the first Youth Emissary for the United Nations Development Program.

All this while playing in the NBA. Just imagine what he could do if he were to retire?

Clinton, Foxx Speak Against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 19:22:10 -0000

Written by Nadia Lias

One might not expect a politician and an award-winning entertainer to have much in common, but former US President Bill Clinton and actor/singer Jamie Foxx speak the same language when it comes to active involvement in fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis & malaria. The two shared the stage during the Annual Global Business Coalition Gala on June 13th at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

The award Gala is held annually to recognise companies and people who demonstrate action and commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Among the 700-plus guests were political leaders, celebrated entertainers, public heath experts and CEOs of member companies as well as NBA stars Dikembe Mutombo and Samuel Dalembert. Sir Richard Branson was one of the evening’s featured speakers, and discussed the commitment of his Virgin Unite to eradicating the HIV virus.

Jamie Foxx and HBO co-president Richard Plepler presented the premier of Test America, a Public Service Announcement campaign produced in conjunction with the National Basketball Association, GBC, and the Kaiser Family Foundation to educate millions of at-risk Americans about the need to get tested for HIV. Audiences were entertained when Foxx joined DJ Doug. E. Fresh in an impromptu rap, chanting “we’re here to fight H-I-V” with the spectators.

Bill Clinton was honoured with an award for his outstanding action and commitment towards the Global Business Coalition’s fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis & malaria. During his speech at the Gala, he commended Foxx, Doug E. Fresh, and members of the National Basketball Association for taking part in the inspiring Test America PSA campaign. He then thanked GBC for bringing a committed group of leading private-sector executives and NGOs to tackle three global epidemics. He later urged the executives to work together to do what is right: fight for equality for all people, and fight to end the three diseases.

The night left a clear message in mind that it is everybody’s responsibility to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis & malaria. To quote one of the evening’s speakers, Ophelia Haanyama Orum – HIV-positive author of the book “True to Myself”: – “Open your eyes, open your minds, and open your hearts. Walk with me, and continue your work to make a positive difference for people with HIV.”

Look To The Stars News: Dikembe Mutombo

More Donations For Mutombo

Related past articles

Rockets Honor Dikembe Mutombo

Related past articles

Clinton, Foxx Speak Against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Related past articles