Thunder F KEVIN DURANT's local philanthropic work continues "this Sunday night, at his Bricktown restaurant, KDs, where he's hosting a jazz event and live auction with limited spots still open to the public." Proceeds will go toward his foundation, KDCF, which "has dispersed more than $200,000 to local youth organizations for at-risk kids across the state." Durant is "willingly using his platform and finances to help kids in the community." Durant in '13 donated $1M to the American Red Cross "to assist disaster relief efforts" in Moore, Okla., following deadly tornadoes. Since then, KDCF also financed a renovated court basketball court at North Highland Elementary which "serves more than 460 students." Another renovated court "is in the works for the coming months." However, Durant's "most impactful contributions have come during his visits to Positive Tomorrows," which provides elementary school education to homeless children. It is "not only the monetary and clothing gifts he's given to them over the years, but the connection he's cultivated during his three visits" (OKLAHOMAN.com, 3/16).
SPEED OF LIGHT: Former NFLer MATT LIGHT during a fundraiser at Harpoon Brewery, was "on hand to help introduce three runners who'll be raising money for The Light Foundation at next month's Boston Marathon" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 3/14).
THE GOOD STUFF: Nationals P JONATHAN PAPELBON "left the team Saturday to fly to the 29th Annual Leukemia Ball" in DC, where he and his wife ASHLEY announced a donation of $25,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He also "donated $50,000 to the organization last September, a gift intended to honor" former teammate and Cubs P JON LESTER and Red Sox manager JOHN FARRELL, "both of whom battled blood cancers -- among others" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/15)....DONALD TRUMP "donated $30,000 to the Jets Foundation, the Gang Green charity that promotes youth football and fitness -- and combats bullying in" N.Y. area schools. Trump also "donated $10,000 a year to the foundation" from '12-14 (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/16)....The Bruins Foundation recently teamed up with Massachusetts Hockey to support the Mike Cheever's Grow Hockey Grant. The Bruins Foundation presented a donation of $253,252 during the 2nd intermission of Hurricanes-Bruins last Thursday (Bruins)....The Hornets will donate more than $146,000 to the Novant Health Community Care Cruiser. The donation is the proceeds from the Hornets Foundation's annual My Hero Gala, which took place last October (Hornets).
