Displaying items by tag: lebron james family foundation

The LeBron James Family Foundation, in partnership with WKYC-TV Cleveland and Kaulig Companies Limited out of Hudson, is developing a new high-tech media lab, with live TV broadcasting capabilities.

WKYC.com is reporting, that the I Promise School, which is set to open its doors to 3rd and 4th grade students next week and is primarily hands-on and STEM oriented, will teach video editing, TV production, and more in the new lab.

Wednesday marks the one-month anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead. 

In conjunction with the anniversary and on National Walkout Day, where students in high schools, and other schools across the country are walking out of class for 17 seconds (one second for each victim), the University of Akron is offering a forum to discuss issues revolving around "Gun Violence in America's Schools." 

The LeBron James Family Foundation is sponsoring the event, that runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening in Olin Hall, Room 124, at the University of Akron. You can find out more at UAkron.edu. 

UPDATED 4:50 a.m. The victims of Saturday's fire that left four dead and two injured were identified by their pastor. Rev. Zach Prosser of Celebration Church in Akron told Cleveland.com the adults are Omar Riley and Shirley Wallis, who had been together for 12 years. Their daughters, nine year old Aniyla and and eight year old Shanice, also perished in the blaze. Prosser identified the 12-year old victim as Wallis' daughter Shaniya, who was listed in critical condition at Akron Children's Hospital.

Another victim, Jennifer Grubbs, was also injured when she jumped out of the attic from the flames according to her fiancee. He was not in the home at the time of the fire. The flames first showed in the back of the house according to a neighbor's home security camera video, according to reports.

Previous coverage

An early morning Saturday blaze left four people dead, two injured. The Akron Fire Department reports the house fire at 266 East Tallmadge Avenue was "heavily involved" when they arrived about five minutes after the call at 1:33 a.m. Arriving firefighters were able to pull five of the six victims from the home. Among the dead are an eight and nine year old; News5 reports a 12-year old jumped from a second floor window to escape the flames and is in critical condition. An adult was also pulled from the home and was also injured.

Video from the scene is at the News5 link above

Names and other details of the victims were not released. There is no cause of the blaze at this time. 

No smoke detectors were found in the home, which reportedly was a rental property. The American Red Cross is reminding area residents smoke detectors are free throughout northeast Ohio, and the Akron Fire Department provides free installation in partnership with the Red Cross. Mayor Dan Horrigan said he was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy...and will see to it hat the victims' families and the survivors are supported in this time of great sorrow and need."

The children were enrolled in Akron Public Schools, one at Seiberling Elementary and another at Forest Hills Elementary. The 12-year old is a student at Hyre Middle School. APS spokesman Mark Williamson said ""Akron Public Schools and its community of families are profoundly saddened by this loss of two precious children and other members of their family. Three of our schools have felt this tragedy, deeply, and will be visited by our counselors this week for assistance. We offer our heartfelt prayers."

There was also reaction from LeBron James and the LeBron James Family Foundation; the children were members of his Wheels for Education program. James tweeted he was "unbelievably saddened to hear the news. My heart hurts...our family lost two bright, bright stars." 

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(Akron Fire Department) Firefighters responded to a two and a half story residential house fire. Upon arrival the first floor was heavily involved in smoke and flames. People were reported to be trapped inside so an immediate interior fire attack was taken for rescue. The call came in at 01:33 and by 01:38 the first Engine was on scene.

Through the heavy heat and smoke (no visibility) 5 of the 6 victims were pulled from the house within the first few minutes of arrival. The cause of the fire is still under investigation but it was noted that smoke detectors could not be located throughout the house.

The fire caused four fatalilties. Two adults and two children, 8 and 9 year old. Two other victims were transported and are still ithe hospital. Unknown condition at the time of this press release. Names, relationships, and genders were not given while investigation is on going. One firefighter was transported for minor injuries and released.

(American Red Cross) We are deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from a home fire in Akron early Saturday morning. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy.

The Red Cross partners with many Fire Departments in Northeast Ohio, including the Akron Fire Department, to provide and install smoke alarms, free of charge, to any resident who requests the alarms. We also provide valuable fire safety information, and help residents develop plans to escape from their homes should a fire occur. The initiative is call Operation Save-A-Life.

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan helped launch Operation Save-a-Life at a home in Akron earlier this year.

Akron residents can call 330-535-2030 to request a home fire safety inspection and free smoke alarms. In Cleveland, residents can call 216-361-5535. Youngstown residents may call 866-319-7160. Elsewhere
throughout Northeast Ohio, residents can log onto redcross.org/neo to request smoke alarms for their homes. 

We are grateful for our partnerships with so many fire departments, corporations and community groups for helping to provide this valuable, potentially life-saving service, and we urge all residents to check their homes for working smoke alarms, and to contact us at the numbers or website above if they need smoke alarms for their homes for working smoke alarms, and to contact us at the numbers above.

(City of Akron) Early this morning the Akron Fire Department responded to an advanced-stage fire in a three-story house on East Tallmadge Avenue.

The Fire Department acted quickly to extinguish the flames and rescue the individuals inside. Tragically, two adults and two children lost their lives in the fire. One adult and one child have survived and are being treated for their injuries.

"My family, the Akron Fire Department, and the entire Akron community, are profoundly saddened by this devastating incident. Any time our community experiences a loss such as this, it reminds us how precious life is," said Mayor Dan Horrigan. 'My deepest sympathies and prayers are with the family members of those who lost their lives, as we continue to pray for strength and healing for the survivors being treated. We will see to it that the victims' families and the survivors are supported in this time of great sorrow and need.

There is no higher duty we have as city leaders than to protect the health and safety of our residents and I thank the Akron Fire Department for their bravery in responding to this fire and for their attempts to rescue those trapped inside. I offer my full support and confidence as the professionals work to investigate the cause of this fire." 

(Akron Public Schools) "Akron Public Schools and its community of families are profoundly saddened by this loss of two precious children and other members of their family. Three of our schools have felt this tragedy, deeply, and will be visited by our counselors this week for assistance. We offer our heartfelt prayers."

Cedar Point's relationship with Lebron James continues to be a slam dunk for the Akron natives' charity efforts.

Thrill seekers who purchased tickets to be one of the first to ride the amusement park's new record breaking roller coaster Valravn helped raise over $73,000 for the Lebron James Family Foundation.

Cedar Point's Vice President and General Manager Jason McClure expressed his appreciation for the foundation's commitment to give back at the ride's opening ceremony.

Courtesy: Coaster-Net.com

"They are a real group of people that make a tangible difference in their community. They really make life changing impact for the folks in their community, and we're really proud that we could partner with somebody that has the commitment that they do and do what what they do for their community", he said.

Tickets to ride in the front row were sold for $500, while other seats went for $75.

This is the second year in a row that the Cavaliers player has partnered with the park. Last year, Cedar Point offered riders a chance to bid on seats for the Rougarou coaster, which raked in $126,000 for the foundation.

Cedar Point officially opened for the season last weekend.

The LeBron James Family Foundation is teaming up with a legendary local golf tournament.

LeBron's non-profit is linking up with the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational.

"LeBron's an Akron institution, and so is the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone,"
says Bridgestone Invitational executive director Don Padgett, "so we felt it made a lot of sense for the two organizations to get together...so we're excited."

Padgett says that it's not just about $50,000 pledge to the foundation...it's about kids getting involved in the tournament....with events both before the tournament and the

"The kids will be out there, they'll get to experience the tournament, behind the scenes tour", Padgett tells WAKR's Jasen Sokol, "maybe try a shot at our Green Monster Challenge, it's a replica of Firestone's signature 16th hole."

Other youth oriented charities that have benefitted from the tournament include Akron Children's Hospital and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.

A two-time NBA champion and the wife of the most powerful man in the country sure do know how to make an impact. 

Thousands of students involved in LeBron James' "Wheels For Eduction" and "I Promise" programs and their families packed the James A. Rhodes arena on the University of Akron campus Wednesday afternoon to take a pledge to complete their education.

The Cavaliers star, who recently announced that he has partnered with the University of Akron to provide scholarships for students in the LeBron James Family Foundation who graduate high school, wants everyone to get involved with investing in the future of our youth.

"I want each and every one of you, not just the kids, but also the parents and the teachers and the mentors and whoever is around these kids every single day, to understand that we are family and we are going to continue to look after each other on becoming as great as we can be," he said.

LeBron even brought a special guest with him to his hometown . First Lady Michelle Obama told the kids that she and LeBron are no strangers to overcoming obstacles at a young age.

"We were kids just like you, and we didn't come from places where families had a lot of money and a lot of resources," said Obama. "We know how amazing you all are and the things that you can do with your lives because we're standing here, and if we can be here we know you can too."

Obama also illustrated the importance of higher education.

"Imagine yourself succeeding here and walking across the stage and getting your college diploma," she said. "Start envisioning that for yourself now, because you all have to get an education beyond high school. You have to."

A new social media campaign, known as "Better Make Room", was introduced by Obama to allow children to share their dreams and aspirations with others all around the world.

The event concluded with both LeBron and The First Lady reciting the "I Promise Pledge" with the crowd, asking them to accept the challenge to finish school.