1. Jrue Holiday
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
“I give to people with essential needs. In situations when military personnel come back home and don’t really have support, I show my support. There’s been quite a few organizations that have to do with childcare. Going through the pandemic, a lot of minorities won’t get a chance to pay for childcare, especially trying to get to work and all that. Again, essential needs. People who are out of work, people need toilet paper, we can help pay for that. I’m just here to support. I know going through tough times, a lot of people don’t have the support system that they need.”
2. Matt Donovan
MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS
“The Admirals here in Milwaukee give back to the community so much. We’ve done Ronald McDonald House, also a coat drive. There are a bunch of other charities. I like to give back to youth hockey in any way I can. In Oklahoma, I raise money for an organization called the Zach Tays Memorial Fund. The guy I grew up playing with got in a car wreck when I was young and they started an organization for him. Get out in your community and give back because it feels good. There’s no better feeling than giving back. It’s easy to do. A little bit of time is all it takes and it changes people’s lives.”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. George Hill
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
“I mainly look for charities that have something in their best interest. I shy away from those that have the 60/40 rule or 70/30 rule. 60-40 or 70-30 is upside or downside. The reason why I’m with Wish For Our Heroes and back them so much is because I know that 100% goes back into what we raised. We don’t keep a dime we have. We have over 300 plus volunteers across the U.S. I do stuff for the military. I mentor inner-city kids, especially based out of Minneapolis where I come from. I have my AAU program in Minneapolis where I have over 150 young men and women to help use youth basketball as an outlet. [Giving] fills my cup up; it’s never been about me. It’s more about how you can put a smile on someone else’s face and help families in need. God has blessed me to make money now where I can be a blessing for others. Do it from your heart and not for publicity or anything like that.”
4. Ian Bennett
MILWAUKEE WAVE
“It’s an organization called Livefor. It’s for kids who have special needs and we’ll help fulfill any dreams they have. I used to work with the Asthma company in Milwaukee, FAM. Those are the two biggest companies I am a part of right now. I think especially in Wisconsin with all the hardships and the pandemic, everyone has to do their part, especially athletes because we are role models. I think we need some more love in the world. I think we need nice people and just be nice to the fellow human instead of hate, drama, and politics. I think we need to give back to the grassroots where we build up and try to be positive. The little things go a long way.”
5. Pat Connaughton
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
“I have my own foundation. The Pat Connaughton Foundation. We focus on youth sports, getting kids involved in sports at a young age, teaching them to translate them into life skills. Hard work, teamwork, leadership, and things they can take beyond the playing surface that can help them get into college, a job. We’re fortunate to be where we are. We’ve worked hard for it, but using this platform to show other people that you can have a dramatic effect through little acts and through greater acts, you can have an even more dramatic effect. People helping people. At the end of the day, that’s what we’re here to do.”
6. Vin Baker Jr.
UW-MILWAUKEE MEN’S BASKETBALL PANTHERS
“Recently, my father and I had a partnership with Wisconsin Small Talks to talk about and bring attention to the issue of underage drinking. We kind of did it as a miniseries on both of our social media accounts. We talked about my dad’s history with it and my experience being around him and his issues with alcohol abuse. The Panthers have done a ton. During COVID-19, we had the opportunity to go around Milwaukee and rake leaves for people. We did a canned good service. We’re able to help out as much as we could with the pandemic and everything. We’ve just helped out our community as much as we could. It just shows care. We all live here in the same space and same city. Having the platform that we have, it’s good to know you have people out there that care about you. It’s a tough, crazy time and traveling not being able to see your families. I would just give back anyway possible. Give and not receive. Whether that’s gift-giving or any type of love. Reach out to your family members and be kind to the person next to you.”
