Howard Provides $30,000 to Florida Hospital for Children
By Elizabeth Brett
October 28, 2009
ORLANDO – Whether it was trash talking Greg Nelams, age 11, about how he was the better video gamer, attempting to speak Spanish to Carlos Onoro, age 13, who spoke very little English, challenging Jonathan Davis, age 8, to figure out a riddle, or providing all three children with special red “Superman” capes, which he graciously signed, Dwight Howard successfully made all three pediatric patients’ day extremely special and unforgettable appearing as the true superhero that he is at the Florida Hospital for Children on Tuesday, October 27.
Greg, who quickly connected with Howard, once they realized each other’s mutual love for video gaming, is currently being treated for Osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor, and was more than thrilled to meet his favorite basketball superstar. “Out of all of the players that I’ve ever wanted to meet, it was really fun for me to meet him,” Greg expressed. “We talked mostly about video games. It was exciting and exhilarating.”
After visiting the pediatric unit during the holidays last year, Howard bonded with one child in particular while competing against each in video games. He knew he wanted to get involved in trying to create a space where the patients could act as other kids their age do and forget about being in a hospital. As a result, Dwight founded the program, Dwight Howard’s Big Change for Kids, which will place jugs at local businesses, schools and churches to collect funds to put towards the special pediatric “gaming” room. Howard collaborated with the Florida Hospital for Children and the Central Florida community to make his wish a reality.
Dwight announced at the event that he would be funding the initial $30,000 for the state-of-the-art room being built in the Pediatrics unit so that the children will have a place to temporarily forget about their troubles and enjoy the latest video gaming technology, movies, board games, educational outlets and much more.
“This is the best way for me to show gratitude,” Howard said. “God blessed me with everything I could imagine, so just being able to give back to these kids and the people who really need it is a lot better than anything else I could ever do.”
When asked if once the project was completed he planned on visiting the children to play against them in video games, Dwight jokingly responded “First, I’m going to give the kids about a year to get ready for me, because I am really competitive and once I come and start playing them in all of the games, I don’t want to beat them right away, I want a challenge, so they need to get used to playing all of the games first.”
Upon hearing Dwight’s extreme confidence in his own gaming abilities, Greg, his newest gaming nemesis, had a quick and simple response. "I can take him, no problem at all."
By Elizabeth BrettOctober 28, 2009
ORLANDO – Whether it was trash talking Greg Nelams, age 11, about how he was the better video gamer, attempting to speak Spanish to Carlos Onoro, age 13, who spoke very little English, challenging Jonathan Davis, age 8, to figure out a riddle, or providing all three children with special red “Superman” capes, which he graciously signed, Dwight Howard successfully made all three pediatric patients’ day extremely special and unforgettable appearing as the true superhero that he is at the Florida Hospital for Children on Tuesday, October 27.
Greg, who quickly connected with Howard, once they realized each other’s mutual love for video gaming, is currently being treated for Osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor, and was more than thrilled to meet his favorite basketball superstar. “Out of all of the players that I’ve ever wanted to meet, it was really fun for me to meet him,” Greg expressed. “We talked mostly about video games. It was exciting and exhilarating.”
After visiting the pediatric unit during the holidays last year, Howard bonded with one child in particular while competing against each in video games. He knew he wanted to get involved in trying to create a space where the patients could act as other kids their age do and forget about being in a hospital. As a result, Dwight founded the program, Dwight Howard’s Big Change for Kids, which will place jugs at local businesses, schools and churches to collect funds to put towards the special pediatric “gaming” room. Howard collaborated with the Florida Hospital for Children and the Central Florida community to make his wish a reality.
Dwight announced at the event that he would be funding the initial $30,000 for the state-of-the-art room being built in the Pediatrics unit so that the children will have a place to temporarily forget about their troubles and enjoy the latest video gaming technology, movies, board games, educational outlets and much more.
“This is the best way for me to show gratitude,” Howard said. “God blessed me with everything I could imagine, so just being able to give back to these kids and the people who really need it is a lot better than anything else I could ever do.”
When asked if once the project was completed he planned on visiting the children to play against them in video games, Dwight jokingly responded “First, I’m going to give the kids about a year to get ready for me, because I am really competitive and once I come and start playing them in all of the games, I don’t want to beat them right away, I want a challenge, so they need to get used to playing all of the games first.”
Upon hearing Dwight’s extreme confidence in his own gaming abilities, Greg, his newest gaming nemesis, had a quick and simple response. "I can take him, no problem at all."
