Pro athlete & entrepreneur Philip Austin donates to schools

Philip Austin Brooks has donated some sports equipment and basketball gear to schools in a personal project he tagged “WITH A SMILE”.

He said this donation aimed at encouraging young kids to turn to sports as a purposeful means to stay away from gangs and drugs, and also as a therapeutic outlet.

Some of the sports gear, equipment, and supplies donated include Training kits made up of Jerseys, Trainers and Sneakers, Balls, gloves, helmets Sketch Books, Pencils, Pens, Charcoal Sticks, Crayons, Sharpeners, Charcoal Pencils, Erasers & paints. He also donated time to teach the kids some basic basketball in-court moves and blocking lessons.

Brooks who is already helping kids via his “Butterflies Learning Centers” said this is one of the social responsibility causes he is going to pursue and make an annual one starting in 2023.

“I intend to make this an annual program whereby we will go on a charity drive and whatever is realized I will match it with a personal donation, which will then be distributed to deserving kids programs and schools around Texas.”

Brooks who himself played college basketball said sports helped him through the toughest of times as a kid growing up. According to him, the pandemic lockdown caused a lot of schools to be closed, and it was a tough period for a lot of kids and parents too. Helping these kids acquire and develop their sports skills is a great way to ward off depression and also keep their minds busy and sharp while staying safe and off the streets.

“Sports cuts across all barriers which are why at our ‘Butterflies Learning Centers’ coaches devote time to teaching these kids how to play various sports so they can not only stay active but maybe someday build a career of these skills,” he added.

“I’m passionate about the growth of young people, so I try to be an example every time in any way I can. I always encourage teenagers to cultivate safe and purpose-driven habits, because the kind of habits that you build as you grow, often determines your chances at a successful life, career, or business,” Philip reiterated.

He further explained that discovering he was good at basketball when he was younger helped keep him grounded and away from gangs and trouble. “As a kid, I was happiest around the courts and so I hope that this donation will do the same for these kids”, he stated.