CRIME Shaquille O'Neal Pays for Shaniya Davis' Funeral

[fruit loop]

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/6500848/

Touched by girl's death, Shaq offers to pay for funeral
funeral

Posted: Today at 8:39 a.m.
Updated: Today at 10:10 a.m.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal offered to pay for the funeral of Shaniya Davis after seeing news of the 5-year-old's kidnapping and slaying, funeral director Corey R. Breece Sr., of Rogers and Breece Funeral Home, said.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Thursday that the Cleveland Cavaliers player was touched by the case.

Breece said Thursday that the bill had not been paid, but that O'Neal's representatives had expressed interest in helping with the costs.

More than 2,000 people attended her funeral Sunday. The girl's body was found Nov. 16 beside a rural road.

Her mother, Antionette Davis, who had reported the child missing six days earlier, is charged with human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution. Mario McNeill is charged with murder, rape and kidnapping in the case.

"I was sitting at home watching it on the news and the story brought a tear to my eye," O'Neal told The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper.

[Just a thought]

This doesn"t surprise me!! Shaq is a good guy!! What surprises me is that there aren't a whole list of celebs wanting to at least chip in!!!!! Tells about how selfish most are!!!!

[Nanook]

That's a classy thing to do. Way to go, Shaq.

[msswv123]

Originally Posted by Just a thought

This doesn"t surprise me!! Shaq is a good guy!! What surprises me is that there aren't a whole list of celebs wanting to at least chip in!!!!! Tells about how selfish most are!!!!

Doesn't surprise me either..he is a good guy...he gives back to the community alot.

Way to go Shaq!!

Poor precious little girl~


Peoples heart really seem to be waxing cold in these days...just have no conscience or compassion...blessings T

[Thomas Paine]

Shaq is currently trying to get his Ohio Peace officers certificate and a slot as a reserve officer(Full certification or what we would call a class one reserve, same as a working cop just no pay) in the county Cleveland is in.He wants to work on the Internet/Child predator task force. I don't know anything about him but maybe he might be a good choice for the job as the leak doesn't seem to eb coming form his people.He might just actually give a damn.

[Ender]

[quote=Just a thought;3570186]This doesn"t surprise me!! Shaq is a good guy!! What surprises me is that there aren't a whole list of celebs wanting to at least chip in!!!!! Tells about how selfish most are!!!![/QUOTE]

You mean like these bums?

August 2009

(CNN) -- It was a love affair begun long before the levees broke.


Before the images of a crowded and toxic Superdome and desperate survivors waving down help from rooftops, entertainers the world over had a special place in their hearts for New Orleans -- the sultry Louisiana city that served as muse to musicians, playwrights and novelists for more than a century before Hurricane Katrina roared into the city four years ago this week.

Celebrity response to disasters was nothing new. From George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 to Live Aid and USA for Africa in the early '80s, musicians and others have acted in times of need.

But something about Katrina -- something about New Orleans -- spurred an unprecedented response from the entertainment world that continues four years later, experts and activists say.

"Anybody, whether they're a performer or not, who has studied or been touched by American music has been touched by New Orleans," said Jordan Hirsch, director of the nonprofit aid group Sweet Home New Orleans.

"It's jazz. It's R&B. It's funk. ... For everybody of every generation who's making music in America, there's a touchstone in New Orleans that has affected their work."

In the days after the floods, many of the rich and famous stepped up with perhaps the most obvious response, writing a check.

George Clooney donated $1 million to United Way and Oprah Winfrey added another million through her Angel Network and urged her famous friends to follow suit. Director Steven Spielberg gave $750,000 to the Red Cross and another $750,000 to the Bush-Clinton Fund.

Hip-hop stars P. Diddy and Jay Z pitched in with big checks, as did actor Nicholas Cage (1 mil) and singers Celine Dion and Hillary Duff.

Michael Jackson donated the proceeds of a song, "From the Bottom of My Heart," to relief efforts and actor Jamie Foxx raised $600,000 -- including $200,000 paid for a date with Paris Hilton -- through a celebrity auction.

Others took more direct action.

John Travolta flew relief supplies into the region on his private plane, Sean Penn took a private boat (albeit a leaky one) into New Orleans to rescue people. Brad Pitt founded the Make It Right Foundation, an organization dedicated to rebuilding the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans.

U2 guitarist The Edge helped form Music Rising, a group initially dedicated to providing instruments for New Orleans musicians who had lost their own during the floods. The group gave instruments to 2,700 musicians from the Gulf region before shifting its focus to helping churches and schools rebuild their music programs.

"The New Orleans tragedy was a twofold tragedy," Edge said in 2006 during the city's JazzFest. "It was a tragedy because of the fact that this great city was devastated, but it was a tragedy because of the incredible music culture that was also destroyed."

[Usually Curious]

Awesome. He paid for George Mikan funeral, too. He's a stand up guy.

[NC Susan]

[quote=Ender;3570450]

Originally Posted by Just a thought

This doesn"t surprise me!! Shaq is a good guy!! What surprises me is that there aren't a whole list of celebs wanting to at least chip in!!!!! Tells about how selfish most are!!!![/QUOTE]

You mean like these bums?

August 2009

(CNN) -- It was a love affair begun long before the levees broke.


Before the images of a crowded and toxic Superdome and desperate survivors waving down help from rooftops, entertainers the world over had a special place in their hearts for New Orleans -- the sultry Louisiana city that served as muse to musicians, playwrights and novelists for more than a century before Hurricane Katrina roared into the city four years ago this week.

Celebrity response to disasters was nothing new. From George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 to Live Aid and USA for Africa in the early '80s, musicians and others have acted in times of need. But something about Katrina -- something about New Orleans -- spurred an unprecedented response from the entertainment world that continues four years later, experts and activists say.
.....................

THATS FOR LOUSIANNA, NOW SHOW ME SOMEONE WHO HELPED MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, OR GEORGIA.....ALSO EQUALLY DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE KATRINA........

[Just a thought]

For every one who gives the way some do, there are at least 10 who don't give a rat's as s about their fellow human beings!!!! I'll stick up for the good ones who remember where they came from and how hard it was to get where they are now!!! Not the drugies, pompous ones, or the arrogant!!!! We are all humans, and should act like it with a little compassion for those who never had a chance like the little girl!!!!

[rummer]

This I have to say is one of the few times I have had respect for sport stars. He is a good Man for doing this.

[denfoote]

Originally Posted by Thomas Paine

Shaq is currently trying to get his Ohio Peace officers certificate and a slot as a reserve officer(Full certification or what we would call a class one reserve, same as a working cop just no pay) in the county Cleveland is in.He wants to work on the Internet/Child predator task force. I don't know anything about him but maybe he might be a good choice for the job as the leak doesn't seem to eb coming form his people.He might just actually give a damn.

That shouldn't be very hard because when he played for Phoenix, he was a P.O.S.T Certified Reserve Phoenix Police Officer.

The man has mucho class!!

[Ender]

Originally Posted by Just a thought

For every one who gives the way some do, there are at least 10 who don't give a rat's as s about their fellow human beings!!!! I'll stick up for the good ones who remember where they came from and how hard it was to get where they are now!!! Not the drugies, pompous ones, or the arrogant!!!! We are all humans, and should act like it with a little compassion for those who never had a chance like the little girl!!!!

So what was your contribution?

[Just a thought]

Prayers!!!!
I'm not a celebrity, and am raising four grandkids, so sending money is not an option.
What have you contributed to this little girl?

[Ender]

Originally Posted by Just a thought

Prayers!!!!
I'm not a celebrity, and am raising four grandkids, so sending money is not an option.
What have you contributed to this little girl?

Nothing.

But I am not condemning others for not doing so.

[fruit loop]

It doesn't take much to help a child who is in an abusive situation.

All you need is a voice.

If you see an incident of abuse, or suspect it, use that voice and REPORT IT.

If you have family members who are too hard or too rough on their kids....have a talk with them. It doesn't have to be confrontational. And if they are abusing their kids - report them. You are NOT doing the kids a favor with your silence. Don't say, "well...I know they'll be okay..."

The answer from the adopters' relatives was that most of them DID know something was going on, but "it wasn't my place to say anything."

If it's NOT your place.....THEN WHOSE IS IT???

Your silence may be a child's death sentence.

[Wildweasel]

Shaq's proving he is a plain, old-fashion good guy who can play b-ball very well.

Reflects well upon his parents and his upbringing as a "military brat". Of course in today's society, Shaq is a rarity, being black man who is the product of a two-parent family.

Too bad all the players in all major league sports don't have the well-grounded upbringing and background Shaq does. There would be a lot more positive role models for the country's youth instead of examples of high-budget gangsta-wannabees.

WW

[RentedMule]

Originally Posted by Just a thought

For every one who gives the way some do, there are at least 10 who don't give a rat's as s about their fellow human beings!!!! I'll stick up for the good ones who remember where they came from and how hard it was to get where they are now!!! Not the drugies, pompous ones, or the arrogant!!!! We are all humans, and should act like it with a little compassion for those who never had a chance like the little girl!!!!

How do you know what athletes or celebrities donate to charity? You're painting a very broad stroke over a group of people that you really know nothing about.

Clearly, this was a classy thing to do and i'm glad it got some publicity because it's a nice story.

You should really provide some links that back up your point when you're going to make a statement like that.

[fruit loop]

Kristi Yamaguchi's mother was born in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Her father was in one with his family. They are proud to be Americans and have never expressed resentment for this. They sacrificed to help Kristi achieve her Olympic dream, and encouraged her to give back to her community. Kristi founded her Always Dream Foundation after winning her gold medal.

Ashton Kutcher wanted to prove that one person can have a voice, and challenged CNN to that famous Twitter contest, and donated a million nets to a foundation that fights malaria in Third World countries.

Brad Pitt contributes generously to disaster relief, such as Hurricane Katrina and the '04 tsunamis.

Princess Diana's work with charities is legendary.

[Ender]

Originally Posted by NC Susan

THATS FOR LOUSIANNA, NOW SHOW ME SOMEONE WHO HELPED MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, OR GEORGIA.....ALSO EQUALLY DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE KATRINA........

I am not going to run around the net looking that up. Off the top of my head, I read that Oprah gave 10 Mil to Habitat for Humanity to build homes in other states for Katrina victims. I do not believe that was just for NO.

But- so what?

If someone wants to give of their means to help others, they should be praised and highlighted instead of complaining about others that maybe didn't step up to the plate.

You can't have a non-entitlement society and at the same time expect others to do what you think they should do with their money.

[fruit loop]

How about the celebrity founder of St. Jude's Children's Hospital???



http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/26/nfl...een/index.html

NFL's $45 million man helps Skid Row teen's college dream

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The high school honor student and the NFL's highest-paid defensive back stroll down the destitute streets of Skid Row.

"I can sell you something right quick," a drug dealer hisses.

Another shouts, "Gonna whoop your ass!" More expletives are hurled.

Seventeen-year-old Kenneth Chancey is giving a tour to Nnamdi Asomugha, showing the NFL star the streets that he and his sister used to walk to get to school while living in a Skid Row homeless shelter. Prostitutes, addicts and drug dealers scatter. "Camera! Camera!" they shout.

The two make it safely past the park, one of the roughest areas of Los Angeles. An orange soda whizzes through the air, nearly hitting the teen and the Oakland Raiders' All-Pro cornerback worth $45 million.

"Wow," the teen says. "I'm sure they watch you every Sunday, and they don't even recognize who you are."

It is Kenneth's inner strength and his love for education that have brought together this high school class president and NFL star.

"The thing I took away is how fearless he is," Asomugha said later. "The things he's been through are so big and so severe -- they were threatening our lives and throwing things at us on Skid Row. But it doesn't bother him.

"His potential meter is at 1,000 right now."

Escaping through education

Even while Kenneth lived on Skid Row, he dreamed of attending Harvard to become a neurosurgeon. When Asomugha saw Kenneth's story on CNN, he wanted to help. He runs a foundation, the Asomugha College Tour for Scholars, that takes talented inner-city kids on tours of college campuses they otherwise would never be able to see. He's helped get 25 teens into college over the last four years.

On this day, he's come to tell Kenneth that he will be among the 16 students traveling in the spring to visit schools in Washington, D.C.

"I'm thankful to be able to give back," Asomugha said.

Hours before the Skid Row tour, Asomugha traveled to Hollywood's Helen Bernstein High School, where Kenneth is a starting running back in his senior year. They met at the school's football stadium, where Asomugha told Kenneth in person.
I just try to keep my head up, to look into the future.
--Kenneth Chancey

"This smile on my face," Kenneth said, "is a freaking good thing. This is awesome!"

Asomugha leaned closer. "You know who we're working on now?"

"Obama?" Kenneth asked nervously.

"We have to," the NFL star replied.

Kenneth's fever-pitched excitement reached a crescendo, "Oh my gosh!"

His father, Gordon Costello, joined in and handed a folded paper to Asomugha. The proud dad didn't show off football awards or his son's athletic achievements. Instead, it's Kenneth's latest report card, straight A's.

"He might overqualify for the tour," Asomugha said as he studied the report card. "This shows someone with a lot of drive and ambition. These are some great grades."

"I'm at a loss for words," the teen said. "Stuff like this doesn't happen every day."

Asomugha came from a family where education was stressed from day one. He remembers asking his mom as a boy, "Can I have some ice cream?"

"No," she responded. "You haven't finished your homework."

"I'd say, 'but I'm 3!' "

Asomugha's sister is a pediatrician, his mother holds a doctorate. Two other siblings have secondary degrees.

"I am the least educated in my family," Asomugha said. "I catch a lot of heat from my family."

The football star, who is the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, has a degree in finance from the University of California-Berkeley.

Kenneth is energized. "I'm going to be the first one in my family to get a secondary education," he told Asomugha.

"And everyone will follow you," his father added.
Kenneth's college short list
-- Harvard University
-- Howard University
-- Washington University in St. Louis
-- Tulane University
-- University of Pennsylvania
-- UCLA
-- UC-Berkeley
-- UC-Davis
-- UC-Riverside

Kenneth spent his sixth-grade year living in a van with his mother and stepfather. His sister once was beaten up by someone who wanted her shirt. Kenneth was held up at gunpoint for his laptop. He refused to hand it over because his grandmother bought it for him.

"If you're going to shoot me, shoot me now," he told the would-be thief.

"He said, 'I ain't gonna kill no little kid.' "

Mantra: Always keep your head up

From February to August of this year, Kenneth lived at the Union Rescue Mission homeless shelter along Skid Row with his father and sister. After the CNN piece aired, his friend invited him and his sister, Stephanie, to stay with his family, while Kenneth's father looked for work.

Outside Kenneth's earshot, the NFL star talked about how the teen is an inspiration, doing all the right things to achieve greatness in life.

"You don't hear about guys like Kenneth," Asomugha said. "When you have your back against the wall and you're trying to fight and there are so many things -- so many obstacles -- against you but you're still keeping your head above the water like he's doing ... the sky's the limit."

Kenneth says he constantly thought about dropping out to get a job to help his father financially. His dad would have none of it.

"Your education will pay off in the long run," his father always told him.

On the tour at Skid Row, Kenneth took Asomugha to the shelter's rooftop. It's a million-dollar view of the Los Angeles skyline. It's where Kenneth studied. It's also where he learned his biggest lesson: to always keep his head up.

The student and the football player leaned over the building's ledge. Down below, drug deals were being made.

"Anytime you look down over the ledge, you start to see the negative," Asomugha said. "When you keep your head up, you're seeing all the positive. Was that your mantra?"

The teen smiled. "That's how you do it in life," Kenneth said. "I just try to keep my head up, to look into the future."

Five years from now, he'll be graduating from college. The hell of Skid Row will be a distant memory.

"Once I succeed," he said, "I will be able to help other people."

CNN's Traci Tamura and Gregg Canes contributed to this report.

[Matilda]

I think that the crime rate in Cleveland would drop precipitously if Shaq started patrolling the streets. Imagine running into that guy in a dark alley.

[Thomas Paine]

Originally Posted by denfoote

That shouldn't be very hard because when he played for Phoenix, he was a P.O.S.T Certified Reserve Phoenix Police Officer.

The man has mucho class!!

He needs 60 hours and a qualifying round with weapons to get the cert.
He's not the only celeb to be a reserve officer. Ernie Hudson, Ted Nugent, Chuck Norris, Steven Segal, Lou Ferrigno and several others who escape me right know are all either class 1 certified officers/reserves or post certified reserves. For celebs this is a risk due to liability, bith lawsuit type, and the possibilty of career ending damage.When I worked the street a town in the next county had a fully sworn officer who played for the Buffalo Bills. During the off season he wore a uniform and served warrants and did patrol functions. This was the early to mid 90's. He was a big big guy. His beretta auto looked like a hide out piece in his hand. He was also an okay guy no pretentions.