Shaddy gives back

Got this from our friends at Excel Sports. Check out the event if you’re anywhere near Asheville, NC this weekend…

NBA Player Rashad McCants gives back to Asheville Community

ASHEVILLE, NC (July 22, 2008)- Rashad McCants, a member of the 2005 North Carolina Tarheels National Championship team and current member of the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves, is hosting his 2nd Annual “Shoot for the Cure,” July 25-27 at the Bele Chere Festival in Asheville, NC.

An attendee of Erwin High School, Rashad will return to the area to host his annual fundraiser benefitting Breast Cancer-related programs as well as local charities in the area.

Rashad created the Shoot for the Cure at the Bele Chere to establish an annual benefit for non-profit organizations in the Asheville area.  Rashad’s mother, Brenda McCants, is a breast cancer survivor and works closely with the Sisters Network, Inc.  Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Sisters Network as well as to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Western North Carolina.  The Bele Chere is widely recognized as one of the Southeast’s largest, free, outdoor festivals in the Southeast with an attendance of over 350,000.

The Shoot for the Cure fundraising event will take place at the Coxe Ave parking lot starting Friday July 25. One lucky participant will be offered the chance to win $10,000 by making one qualifying half-court shot throughout the weekend, and then repeating the shot at Sunday’s finals. Also available throughout the contest hours will be autographed memorabilia for raffle, as well as other prizes from Spalding and Nike.
McCants will be on hand to coach and interact with the participants.

On Monday July 28, Rashad is hosting a Feed The Children event, which will distribute food to over 400 families in need. Shoot for the Cure partner Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Feed The Children have pre-identified all 400 families who will receive a 25 pound box of food and a box of personal care items. The donation will take place from 10am-12pm at Sam’s Club, located at 645 Patton Avenue.

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About Rashad McCants

Rashad McCants is a North Carolina native who attended Clyde A. Erwin High School in Asheville, N.C. He went on to play for University of North Carolina where he helped lead the team to a National Championship in 2005. McCants ranks 14th all-time at North Carolina with 1,721 points and tied for second with 221 career three-point fields goals. McCants was selected 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2005 NBA Draft. In the 2007-2008 season, McCants averaged 14.9 PPG, 40.7% from three-point range and 2.2 assists.  For more information on Rashad, please visit www.rashadmccants1.com.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the largest youth mentoring organization in western North Carolina. With programs in eight counties across the region, the agency assisted 621 children in 2007 through mentoring friendships. As an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the organization utilizes best practices for mentoring and positive youth development. Independent research shows that its model of professionally supported mentoring relationships between young people and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters has a measurable, positive impact.
For more information, please visit www.bbbswnc.org.

About Sisters Network, Inc

Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) is the leading voice and only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States. SNI promotes the importance of breast health through empowerment, support, breast education programs, resources, information, and research. Membership is 3000, which includes over 40 affiliate chapters nationwide. The organization’s purpose is to save lives and provide a broader scope of knowledge that addresses the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African American women around the country. As a nationally recognized organization among leading medical establishments and breast cancer physicians, Sisters Network is also recognized as a critical information resource for African American women.

About Feed The Children

Founded in 1979 by Larry and Frances Jones, Feed The Children is consistently ranked as one of the 10 largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Feed The Children is a Christian, international, nonprofit relief organization with headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or natural disasters.. Since its founding, the organization has reached out to help those in need in 118 countries around the globe. For more information, please visit www.feedthechildren.org.

About Bele Chere

Bele Chere is widely recognized as one of the Southeast’s largest, free, outdoor festivals in the Southeast with an attendance of over 350,000. Bele Chere is produced by the City of Asheville Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Bele Chere Board of Directors. For complete Bele Chere events listings, please visit www.belecherefestival.com.