Rob AriasIt was a busy day of philanthropy and community outreach for Warriors star forward Draymond Green yesterday. On the final day of a three-day break after a brutal seven game road stretch that saw their record-breaking 24 game winning streak snapped, Draymond donated his time to the community and took time to be honored by the city he’s called home for the past three years.
Draymond, members of Council and students of Emery High pose for pics after the ceremony.
Draymond and other Warriors and staff spent the day at the Covenant House (a shelter for homeless kids in downtown Oakland), bused over to Emeryville City Hall for the key to the city ceremony and ended the evening with a shopping spree for these local homeless youth around the corner at Emeryville Target.
The ceremony began with the swearing-in of new Emeryville PD officer Jaime Pardo. Pardo requested that Draymond himself pin the badge that officially anointed him as an officer of the City. Mayor Martinez read the proclamation noting “You’re now an adopted son of Emeryville” and handing over the ceremonial Key to the City hardware. “Thank you for the pride that you instill in our community”.
Afterward, Draymond took the time to pose for pictures and sign autographs in the City Hall lobby including this one with Alameda Fire Division Chief Anderson.
Division Chief Anderson w/ @Money23Green, recipient of the key to the City of @EmeryvilleCA @ tonight’s Council mtg! pic.twitter.com/NqxEDkKPU4
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) December 16, 2015
After signing with the Warriors in 2012, Draymond moved to Emeryville where he’s resided for the past three years. After signing a new $85 million contract, he’s since bought a home in Berkeley (It’s good to hear he’s stayed in the East Bay and on our side of the tunnel). He briefly reflected on living in Emeryville and the convenience of the Subway across the street and KYU 2 Sushi below his tiny Courtyards at 65th pad. “I had stuff everywhere!” he mentioned during a brief chat with him in chambers. “I outgrew it, but it was fun.”
Councilmember Nora Davis later thanked the E’ville Eye for spearheading the effort. “I wanted to thank Rob Arias for bringing forward the idea and thank Carolyn [City Manager Lehr] for following through. Rob really did a service to the city for promoting the idea and bring it forward.”
Following the ceremony, Draymond took 30 of the kids from Covenant House to nearby Target where they were each given a $200 gift card to use as they pleased. A video segment was captured for this piece about the Warriors philanthropic efforts in the San Jose Mercury News. The piece touches on his own struggles growing up poor in Saginaw, Michigan and relating to the challenges that these youth are faced with.
“I remember those times,” Green said. “Those times have shaped me. I know the struggle. It’s always important for me to just see the smiles and to have that impact on someone else’s life. This may be the moment that changes their life. And then they can go on and impact somebody’s life.”
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You can donate to the Covenant House California Online →
Local news source Comcast SportsNet Bay Area picked up on the story as well:
Emeryville presents ‘adopted son’ Draymond Green with key to city
After several years of calling Emeryville home, Warriors forward Draymond Green was given a key to the city Tuesday evening at a council meeting.
Newly appointed Mayor Dianne Martinez was on hand to present Green with the key, calling him Emeryville’s “adopted son” at one point during the ceremony.
In an email to The E’Ville Eye prior to the ceremony, Martinez said the following:
“I’m privileged to honor Draymond Green and his accomplishments. Presenting the key to the city is a great way to demonstrate the pride that Draymond and his teammates bring to our community.”
Read More on CSNBayArea.com →
Some of Draymond’s Best Moments from last season on YouTube:
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Thanks for bringing up the idea Rob! Glad to see Draymond was present to receive the key!
Yeah, sometimes these things take a while to coordinate but I’m pretty satisfied with the ultimate outcome. I hope it will be one we talk about for years to come.
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