A HERO WITH A HEART: BILL WALTON CHAMPIONS DRIVE TO BUILD GYM FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB IN LA MESA

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Hear highlights of Bill Walton's inspirational speech, originally aired on East County Magazine's radio show on KNSJ 89.1 FM,  here:  http://kiwi6.com/file/rdlekk220f

By Miriam Raftery

July 26, 2014 (La Mesa)—NBA Hall of Famer and former Helix High School superstar Bill Walton is best known for his exceptional achievements on the basketball court.  But he’s also proud to be in the boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame, and knows first-hand the importance of positive role models. 

So now he’s leading efforts to raise funds to build a Bill Walton Gymnasium at the Boys & Girls Club in La Mesa, giving back to the children in this community, where mentors before him helped young Walton to achieve his dreams.  On Thursday, Walton delivered an inspiration speech at the Boys and Girls Club’s new Brady Family Clubhouse. 

“What great leaders do is inspire pride and loyalty,” said Walton.  “Loyalty is that human attribute that allows us as a community to come together and be part of a team—and to realize that what we have is so special, as a result of our caring about what goes on.  It’s not about us; it’s about these young children here who just have these fantastic smiles…who are just so full of dreams and full of hope.”

It soon became clear that Walton is a giant in more ways than one –a compassionate leader standing tall above the crowd, epitomizes the term `hometown hero.’

He urged those present to “think of all the people who have sacrificed for you to get where you are today” as he recalled those who made a difference in his own life. “We’re now these people that those youngsters are looking at.” 

A hallmark of our community is the ability to dream, said Walton, then added, “but also the empathy that’s needed to understand that hey, maybe not everybody has those same opportunities that we just took for granted.” He asked for everyone to make choices and keep in mind “these young people who want so much to be in the game of life, to be on top of the mountain.”

As a boy, he watched the Chargers train at Sunset Park near Lake Murray. “I saw all those guys and I dreamed,” he said. Today, his dream is to “one day be able to sit in that brand new Boys & Girls Club and see all these children come running in and playing the way we used to play down in the gym…and to have that hope, to have that dream…Just think what you would hope for if you were one of these little children…If I only had  a hero. If I only had a role model. If only had a dream. If I only had a place to go – and somebody there who I could look up to and I could learn from.”

Then he closed, “I was one of those children, 61 years ago. I’m Bill Walton. I’m from La Mesa. I went to Helix. I’m in the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame—and I truly am the luckiest guy in the world.”

Earlier in the program, bob Taylor of Taylor Guitar presented a $50,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club on behalf of the East County Economic Development Council. 

Commendations were presented by La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid and by a representative of Congressman Duncan Hunter honoring Ron and Mary Alice Brady, who donated $3 million for the new teen center.  

Walton embraced Mrs. Brady, joy evident on both of their faces at the outpouring of community support.

After he spoke, Walton was asked if he could stay for a while to sign some autographs.  He said, “I’ll stay and sign them all.”

Then he high-fived younsters present and patiently signed every poster, giving each child present the full attention he once focused on the basketball court, back in his heyday when he led UCLA to 88 straight wins, later capturing multiple NCAA and NBA championships. 

Now retired, Bill Walton remains a hero here in La Mesa, where he will forever be remembered as a true champion standing tall for the children in this community.

You can learn more or donate to help build the new Bill Walton Gymnasium in La Mesa at www.FriendsofBillWalton.org.


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