alt=Jasen LeeSALT LAKE CITY — As a star in the National Basketball Association, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert has the good fortune of an extremely comfortable life thanks to his skills on the basketball court. But as the erudite Frenchman can attest, growing up, his life wasn’t always so carefree. It is that life experience that inspires him to help others — particularly during the Christmas season.
On Thursday, Gobert and the Jazz organization hosted a holiday party for 25 youths and their families at the team’s practice facility on the Zions Bank Basketball Campus. Gobert partnered with Family Promise Salt Lake to provide needed items, such as winter clothing, as well as gifts from a wish list for the children.
Family Promise Salt Lake is a nonprofit group that helps families experiencing homelessness work to find long-term independence, stability and security. Gobert said being able to help kids enjoy the holiday season is something that brings him immeasurable joy, in large part because of his own childhood recollections.
“As a kid I was, I was the same,” he said. “It just reminds me of the memories of me being a kid and being so excited for Christmas and being able to have some good gifts. It means everything.”
He mentioned that years ago, his family had also been in a similar situation to those he helped today.
“I was lucky to have a great family around me. (But) there was a few Christmases when we had to go to the local charity to get a gift,” he said. “Actually, one Christmas that I really remember, it made me happy to have something (to open), so just be able to do the same (for others) is big!”
As for the recipients, each of the participating families had experienced some kind of homelessness recently, explained Wendy Kelly, executive director of Family Promise Salt Lake.
“They’ve all been through our shelter program — parents, moms, dads, sometimes grandmas — with their kids. They’ve been homeless, they’ve been in a car, doubled up — sleeping with other kids in beds or they’re sleeping on couches, or they’re sleeping on the street,” she said. “They come to us and we get them into a shelter situation where we provide them stable housing.”
Kelly said, on average, 6% of all elementary school students across Salt Lake County are homeless — which means lots of hardship. She said giving the kids and their families such a unique opportunity is priceless.
“To be able to give them this opportunity and watch them and give that joy of the season for them, it’s an honor,” she said. “It’s not something that most people get to experience. It’s heartwarming and watching the kids … they take on a lot. They carry a lot of the weight of the world on their shoulders throughout the year, so to be able to kick that off for a minute is pretty awesome.”
Among the families involved was Ryan and Desiree Mealing and their young children Ryan Jr. and Mariah. Originally from Georgia, the Mealings moved to Utah six months ago in search of better opportunities for their family, Ryan Mealing Sr. explained. Since arriving, the organization has helped them “get back on their feet,” assisting them in securing stable housing and finding work, he added.
In addition to all the support Family Promise has provided, being able to participate in Gobert’s holiday party was unexpected blessing, Mealing said.
“It’s mind-blowing! We never (thought) that we’d be able to come have lunch or dinner with a NBA team,” he said. “It’s mind-blowing. We’d never thought we would be here.”
Last week, Gobert donated winter clothes to benefit children and families at Neighborhood House in Salt Lake City, which provides affordable daycare and support services to children and adults. Through his Rudy’s Kids Foundation, he will also donate $1,000 to Bradley Center for every shot he blocks during the Jazz-Orlando game on Dec. 17. Bradley Center offers support for children, teens, young adults and their families following a death through peer support groups.
Since its inception, Gobert’s blocked shot effort has funded donations to charitable organizations in Utah and around the country, a news release stated.
“My goal is really to have an impact not only on the court but outside the court,” he said. “Not by just giving money, but also being a leader and an inspiring all these kids … to show them that no matter where you’re from, you can become who you want to become.”
“Hopefully, in many years, some of these kids are going to do the same thing that I’m doing today. That’s the main goal,” Gobert said. “Basketball is my life but being able to have such a huge impact on other people’s lives … to me, that’s what is the most important thing.”