Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook says his platform gives him a unique opportunity to give back to others amid the public health and economic crises stemming from the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Earlier this week, Westbrook announced his donation to the City of Los Angeles Angeleno Fund, organized by the city’s mayor to help needy families through the financial hardship of the pandemic.
On Thursday, in an appearance on ABC‘s Good Morning America (GMA), the Los Angeles native explained the motivations for his gesture.
I’m excited about it. The Angeleno Campaign is something that me and my foundation and family feel strongly about. That’s finding ways to give cash and give access to families and people that’s in need, especially in a time like this.
“During times like this you’ve got to find ways to immediately impact as many people as possible.” @NBA star @russwest44 is giving back to his hometown of Los Angeles and helping hard-hit local families through his foundation @WhyNotFdn. https://t.co/kAl08MhZJa pic.twitter.com/KN5WvxkG49
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 26, 2020
The 31-year-old Westbrook — who is spending time during the NBA’s hiatus at his offseason Los Angeles home with his wife and three children — was asked what it meant to give back to his hometown. He replied:
It’s a blessing. I think you’ve been given a platform, you have to find ways to give to others. During times like this, you have to find ways to immediately impact as many people as possible, and I think this is the best way to do it thus far.
Donations can be made by texting LALove to 21000 or at the website mayorsfundla.org. “You can donate there, text it there, and it’s very easy and very simple to do,” said Westbrook, whose charity efforts are run through his Why Not? Foundation.
“My biggest thing now is to impact and inspire as many people as possible,” the NBA’s 2017 MVP said. “I’m trying to find more ways to give people hope, confidence, a sense of swagger to themselves that they can do and put their mind to do anything in the world they want to do.”
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who is also the frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, has cited Westbrook’s efforts as an example of the “character of the American people” by stepping up during a crisis and “doing what they can to help those in need.”
The character of the American people is on full display across the country. In the middle of a crisis, folks are stepping up and doing what they can to help out those in need. The Angeleno Campaign, led by my friend Mayor @EricGarcetti, is a great example of the work being done. https://t.co/eo8GGH6hmG
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) March 25, 2020
[lawrence-related id=27311]
Besides philanthropic causes, Westbrook is also making the most of his unexpected time off by helping raise his three young children with his wife, Nina. Historically, March and April are extremely busy months for NBA players, but 2020 is an obvious exception — and Westbrook seems to be making the best of an odd situation.
Of his extended time at home, Westbrook told GMA:
It’s been great. My kids, I’m pretty sure they enjoy it so much. It’s something that I really enjoy — getting a chance to wake up with them every morning.
[She’s been] doing an amazing job of raising our children while I’m away, and so I’m excited, I’m blessed to be home with the family, and I’m enjoying myself.
Westbrook added that he was helping out with “daily duties” around the household that would normally be left to Nina, if he were playing in NBA games in various locations across the United States.
[lawrence-related id=27246,27208]