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Following the death of
his father in 1993, Michael Jordan donated $2,000,000 to the construction of
the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club and Chicago Bulls Family Life Center,
to honor the memory of his father. The center provides the Near West Side
communities with basketball courts, places for students to do homework, and a
variety of after-school programs for teens and kids, including a mentoring
program
"'I feel that no matter what Boys & Girls club we go to, we can do our best,' [Brijon] Burtley said. 'But here we have a certain responsibility because we have to carry out the Jordan name. For the Jordan family to act one way, the Jordan club has to act the same way.'" -- Chicago Tribune, September 10, 2009.  Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago charity event, featuring the Chicago Bulls mascot, "Benny the Bull." Photo from www.rfmachicago.org |
"What the James Jordan Boys and Girls Club will do is give that kid who may not have had that positive influence, the opportunity to make their way out of the ghetto and maybe into a much richer and positive life for themselves and their families. I'm just glad my father had something to be proud of. This is going to be my payback, and for my mother to say thanks to him, for giving us an opportunity to excel and be a part of what's been so much fun for everybody, especially myself." -- Michael Jordan |
| The $9 Billion Dollar Man |
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