NBA Player Will Bynum helps Englewood Shelter

First, Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers!

The following was from a press release sent out by
Nicholas Ballesteros
Social Media Manager
Exact Publicity
www.exactpublicity.com

It's nice to have some positive news once in a while, and was sent to us in a form that is easy to post. (We're a volunteer-run blog, so we don't have time to do all the formatting necessary to make some contributions blog-ready).



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NBA Detroit Piston and Chicago native, Will Bynum, gave back in a huge way toward a Chicago south side shelter, Clara’s House, all around—helping those who live in the shelter as well as the owner who was hit with a disconnect electricity bill—a month ago--. Bynum made sure that nearly 50 women and children who reside in the shelter had a hot Thanksgiving dinner last night at Clara’s House with all the fixings. Will Bynum was present via Skype, due to a Wednesday night home game in Detroit, ironically against the Chicago Bulls,  where he addressed the residents at the shelter about domestic violence, homelessness and his Reach and Pay it forward initiative  for change for shelters nationwide.  Bynum encouraged the shelter residents to stay positive and have hope this holiday season. Bynum also gifted a $2,500 check toward the shelter’s electric bill to ensure that their lights stay on this holiday season.
Clara’s House, houses battered and homeless women and children, the shelter has been struggling financially for the past five years. The Englewood facility was faced with a disconnect of service for heat and electric last month.

“It is my honor to help in any way that I can,” Bynum said.
Bynum’s ReachITeach Foundation’s mission is to help all people –women, children and men, reach their fullest potential in life. Last night, was the very first event as part of the “Reach and Pay it Forward” a yearlong initiative, in which Bynum “reaches” to help an organization in need and then another person follows suit and “reaches” to pay it forward to the next shelter. The goal is to help as many homeless and battered women shelters across the United States, one person at a time.
“When I was younger, I lived in Englewood, and I know how difficult it can be when you’re trying to make something of yourself, but I want to give the homeless and battered women at Clara’s House hope that the situation will get better,” Bynum said.  “Clara doesn’t turn anyone away, she opens her arms and home toward these women who truly need it, that is special and I am thankful to be in a position to be able to contribute,” Bynum went on to say.
“Most people who came from Englewood have never done anything for Clara’s House, but Will found love in his heart for Englewood and took time to help little old me,” said Clara Kirk, who founded Clara’s house 26 years ago.
Clara’s House is just one of two shelters that owner Clara Kirk founded in 1987.  Kirk’s other shelter is Clara’s Place which is located a few blocks away from Clara’s House in Chicago’s Englewood community. Participating sponsors in this event were Target, Meijer, and Honey Baked Ham.
For more information on how you can be part of the Reach and Pay it Forward initiative, contact Bynum’s publicist, Shawn Zanotti at (312) 265-0941 or by email atreachandpayitforward@exactpublicity.com.