Wilson makes a difference in Chicago community
6/18/2020 5:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Features
CHICAGO – Wanting to make a difference during this difficult time for the country, Jeameril Wilson of the Lehigh men's basketball team recently stepped up in a meaningful way. The rising junior aided a good friend of his, Ahmad Gibson, with a food drive for the Chicago community. Wilson is a native of Chicago and has been home since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Although students were not physically in school because of quarantine, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) continued to offer meals to students and families who depended on going to school for their everyday meals," said Wilson. "But after the rioting and looting that took place in the city, CPS was forced to suspend these meal distributions and many grocery stores were closed."
Gibson had recently begun his own nonprofit organization called Young and Gifted, which led to an opportunity to make a difference amidst simultaneous crises happening in the nation (racial inequalities and the coronavirus pandemic).
"Ahmad decided that he was going to help these families out by gathering his friends and loved ones and putting together a food drive for the Uptown community (a neighborhood in Chicago), which is the neighborhood I spent a great portion of my childhood and still have family that reside there," said Wilson. "An Uptown barber, who goes by Kenny Mac, allowed Ahmad to use his barbershop as a base for the food drive, and the rest was history."
One of Wilson's biggest goals was to spread word of the event taking place.
"One reason being so that these families were aware of the event and knew where to go to receive the groceries and baby supplies," said Wilson. "Another reason being so that donations of any kind could be collected. I specifically spent a lot of time putting together these grocery bags and worked on a couple posters to put around the neighborhood."
What motivated Wilson to take action was an understanding of – and appreciation for – people who have made a difference in his life. He wanted to return the favor.
"Personally, I don't think I would be in the position I am without the help of some selfless individuals I encountered in my life," he said. "I'm pretty passionate myself when it comes to helping out those in need. It's actually a huge motivation for me to be successful, so maybe one day, I can help out in even bigger ways. Also, Uptown was just a huge part of my life, so that made it even more exciting for me."
To say the initiative was successful would be an understatement. In the end, the drive helped over 230 families receive groceries and baby supplies, along with care packages for the homeless.
Wilson hopes to continue making a difference, and he knows as a Division I men's basketball student-athlete, he has a platform to do just that.
"Just being a basketball player has allowed me to meet a great deal of great people, people who may have contributed to this cause – whether it was a cash donation or simply just a retweet to spread the word," he said. "In fact, a good amount of us helping out either were, or are currently, student-athletes.
"Student-athletes are typically known to be pretty busy individuals with full schedules, so hopefully my contribution to the food drive was an illustration to people and other student-athletes that we're never too busy to help others."
"Although students were not physically in school because of quarantine, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) continued to offer meals to students and families who depended on going to school for their everyday meals," said Wilson. "But after the rioting and looting that took place in the city, CPS was forced to suspend these meal distributions and many grocery stores were closed."
Gibson had recently begun his own nonprofit organization called Young and Gifted, which led to an opportunity to make a difference amidst simultaneous crises happening in the nation (racial inequalities and the coronavirus pandemic).
"Ahmad decided that he was going to help these families out by gathering his friends and loved ones and putting together a food drive for the Uptown community (a neighborhood in Chicago), which is the neighborhood I spent a great portion of my childhood and still have family that reside there," said Wilson. "An Uptown barber, who goes by Kenny Mac, allowed Ahmad to use his barbershop as a base for the food drive, and the rest was history."
One of Wilson's biggest goals was to spread word of the event taking place.
"One reason being so that these families were aware of the event and knew where to go to receive the groceries and baby supplies," said Wilson. "Another reason being so that donations of any kind could be collected. I specifically spent a lot of time putting together these grocery bags and worked on a couple posters to put around the neighborhood."
What motivated Wilson to take action was an understanding of – and appreciation for – people who have made a difference in his life. He wanted to return the favor.
"Personally, I don't think I would be in the position I am without the help of some selfless individuals I encountered in my life," he said. "I'm pretty passionate myself when it comes to helping out those in need. It's actually a huge motivation for me to be successful, so maybe one day, I can help out in even bigger ways. Also, Uptown was just a huge part of my life, so that made it even more exciting for me."
To say the initiative was successful would be an understatement. In the end, the drive helped over 230 families receive groceries and baby supplies, along with care packages for the homeless.
Wilson hopes to continue making a difference, and he knows as a Division I men's basketball student-athlete, he has a platform to do just that.
"Just being a basketball player has allowed me to meet a great deal of great people, people who may have contributed to this cause – whether it was a cash donation or simply just a retweet to spread the word," he said. "In fact, a good amount of us helping out either were, or are currently, student-athletes.
"Student-athletes are typically known to be pretty busy individuals with full schedules, so hopefully my contribution to the food drive was an illustration to people and other student-athletes that we're never too busy to help others."
Players Mentioned
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