Pau Gasol Won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award


Lakers big man Pau Gasol is the recepient of this year’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, it was announced today. Per the LA Times: “Gasol won for his efforts supporting the medical field. Last year, Lakers forward Metta World Peace (then Ron Artest) won for his extensive involvement with supporting mental health charities. For the past seven years, Gasol has served as a UNICEF ambassador, traveling the world during the off-season working with programs aimed at nutrition and education for children. This past March, Gasol participated in El Rey Theater’s ‘Play List With the A-List,’ in which celebrities sang karaoke in order to raise funds for UNICEF; Gasol sang the Fray’s ‘How to Save a Life.’ Gasol also released an iBook this year in three different languages, with all proceeds benefiting UNICEF. Gasol plans on another project with UNICEF after he plays for Spain in the Olympic Games in London this summer, from July 29 to Aug. 12. Gasol frequently visits Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for reasons that go beyond making photo-opportunity appearances.”