Miami Heat's James Jones Launches Summer Camp For Foster Kids
MIAMI (CBS4) – Giving back to the community in a big way Miami Heat forward James Jones, along with several other celeb athletes including gymnast Shannon Miller and Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard, has launched a summer camp for foster kids.
Jones, a Miami native, said his work with children has always revolved around basketball, but he often came away wondering "how can I impact the youth, the community in a way that's beyond the game. My desire is to do something that will have a lasting impact on them."
Jones and DCF Secretary David Wilkins announced James Jones Camp on Thursday. It's one of six camps around the state where foster children will learn leadership skills, team building, exercise and nutrition tips and get tutoring help.
"When you get the chance to interact with leaders like this and get the inspiration and insight from them personally, it changes your life," said Wilkins.
The agency is looking to have more camps running next year to reach more children. There are nearly 40,000 foster kids in Florida.
Camps for Champions is an expansion of health, leadership, and wellness camps held in previous years for foster children by Tennessee Titan and former Florida State football All-American Myron Rolle and by the Dwight D. Howard Foundation.
The Heat's Udonis Haslem and former Florida State Seminole greats Corey Simon and Derrick Brooks will also participate in the camps.
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