He dreamt that “rough places will be made plain, crooked places will be made straight … and all flesh shall see it together.”

Roots of that dream began as a preacher and pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Sweet Auburn area of downtown Atlanta. Last Thursday just a few blocks from Dr. King’s home church, the realization and continuation of his dream marched on.

Community members, local leaders and members of Dr. King’s family unveiled the new outdoor Atlanta Hawks basketball court at Selena S. Butler Park adjacent to the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center.

“It’s an honor to be part of his legacy and continue to push that vision and compassion for one other,” says Agent Cynthia Meertens, Decatur, Ga., who participated in the ceremony. “This holiday and celebration is a reminder of how far we’ve come and an encouragement to continue.”

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms unveiled the court. Among those accompanying her were Dr. Bernice King, Dr. King’s youngest child; Atlanta Hawks Owner Tony Ressler; Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin; State Farm Assistant Vice President Clarence Hearns, and current and past Atlanta Hawks players.

“The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm are exemplary partners. They continue to invest in communities,” Mayor Bottoms told the crowd. “We thank you for your work in the community and we are grateful for these collaborations.”

The Atlanta Hawks Foundation have pledged to revamp 25 basketball courts in metro Atlanta by 2020. State Farm and the Hawks, two organizations known for giving back to communities, entered an 18-year partnership in September.

Cynthia and fellow Georgia agent, Angela Holloway, are involved in similar events in their communities. Cynthia and her team work closely with Fernbank Elementary School in Decatur on the Socks of Love project that provides items to a men’s shelter in town.

Angela and her team support and serve the organization Save Our Children and Families, which provides awareness and intervention initiatives to abused children.

“If you look at the world today, a lot of people can feel uneasy at times,” says Cynthia. “To be part of Dr. King’s legacy and continuing to push forward that vision and compassion for one another is what he called us to. He is part of everyone’s history.”

And their future.

When gang members shattered his windows and tried to set his house on fire – Rob Castaneda’s hope faded. He and his wife recently moved to Little Village - eager to start a new life chapter. But the Chicago crime in their southwest side neighborhood overshadowed their dreams for the future.

With a damaged home and broken hopes, the Castanedas were ready to say goodbye - but their neighbors weren’t. They rallied behind the family, encouraging them to stay on the block. That determination inspired the Castanedas. They realized moving wouldn’t solve the neighborhood problems. But something else could help the area bounce back.Castaneda started Beyond the Ball – a basketball program designed to get youth off the streets and on the court. Kids began playing at the school gym, a spot free from violence. News of the safe place to play spread quickly, and program participation skyrocketed. The momentum didn’t stop there. Shortly after creating Beyond the Ball, the Hoops in the Hood program emerged. Founded by LISC Chicago, this summer league gives hundreds of Chicago students an opportunity to play basketball, compete in tournaments and show their team spirit. Today, Beyond the Ball is part of the Hoops in the Hood network.

“LISC Chicago saw a program that was working for one of our community partners, and with leadership and support from State Farm, scaled it to a citywide level,” said LISC Chicago Executive Director Meghan Harte. “LISC ensures Hoops in the Hood is community run and flexible to each neighborhood’s needs. That’s a big part of what makes it so successful.”

Changing the Neighborhood One Kid at a Time

Andrell Bryant never expected basketball to change his life. But it did – 10 years ago. The high school freshman had no plans for summer break. So Castaneda encouraged him to join the Hoops in the Hood program. Bryant hit the ground running, participating every summer until his graduation four years later. “I had aged out of Hoops in the Hood, but wanted to stay involved,” he said.

Bryant decided to coach Hoops in the Hood athletes. He also officiates summer games and became a program coordinator. “I love it,” he said. “Every time the season ends, I want to start again – even though I know I’ll have to wait another seven months. It’s about building relationships with the kids and helping them build for the future.”Today, Bryant is a full-time security guard and works as a part-time basketball coach through the Chicago Park District. “My passion is to work with students,” he said. “To open my own gym in the future, and to show kids this is what hard work is like if you want to be an athlete. Too many students don’t have the ability to go to a gym in their own neighborhoods.”

Bryant credits his outlook and success from his Hoops in the Hood experience. “Being a coach, mentor and role model in the program taught me a lot. And each child that’s gone through it has elevated my value of the game. It’s made me a better person. I want to continue that positivity.”

These two words describe one man simply known as “Knis."

Meet Ron Knisley, an avid sports fan who spent a majority of his career working with the not-for-profit organization, Special Olympics Illinois. Through the years, he encouraged students with special needs to play sports, work as a team and ultimately achieve victory.

But Knis didn’t stop there. He wanted Special Olympics athletes to receive the same athletic opportunities and recognition as teens attending local high schools.

Big dreams and basketball

An annual event known as the State Farm Holiday Classic (SFHC), made Knis’ vision a reality.

Since its founding in 1975, the SFHC has grown into one of the largest, annual, coed high school holiday basketball tournaments in the nation. Each year, (between Christmas and New Year’s Day) it welcomes 64 varsity teams to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

In 2002, under Knis’ guidance, the SFHC added a Special Olympics Shootout to its schedule. Played on championship day, the Shootout features basketball  teams showcasing their skills while playing the game  they love. In its first year, the Shootout started small.  Just four local teams took the court. Fans weren’t sure what to expect. As the Shootout began, many left to stretch their legs or visit the concession stand.

But those who stayed witnessed something special…

Photo Credit Jeff Findley

They saw Knis’ dream come alive as Special Olympics athletes took center court, just like the other students. Basketballs thudded the ground, sneakers squeaked on the hardwood floor, and then came the sound…

The swoosh of the net as a basketball glided through it. Then another, and another. The crowd cheered! In that moment the spectators witnessed Knis’ passion and dedication reflected in the athletes’ joyful faces.

A holiday tradition

Since 2002, the Shootout has grown in popularity and participation. It now takes place in front of a packed house filled with thousands of people.

But today, an important part is missing.

Just three years after the Shootout began, doctors diagnosed Knis with an aggressive form of colon cancer. He fought hard to beat the disease, but treatments were unsuccessful. Knis passed away in 2005. To honor the man who made this Special Olympics Shootout a reality, the tournament was renamed:

The Ron Knisley Memorial Shootout, presented by the State Farm Holiday Classic and Special Opportunities Available in Recreation (S.O.A.R.), is still making an impact today. With the assistance of the local S.O.A.R. program, the shootout has grown into a two-day event featuring 16 teams from multiple states.

But Knis’ legacy doesn’t stop there

In addition to the shootout, the State Farm Holiday Classic awards scholarships to graduating seniors. Money received helps cover their college tuition. Scholarship winners are also invited back to the SFHC to officiate shootout games.

Forming Relationships

Nick Patkunas is a scholarship winner who jumped at the chance to return to the basketball tournament.

“The experience officiating the Shootout is one I’ll never forget," said Patkunas. “I hope future scholarship winners will accept this opportunity.”

For Patkunas, it was also an opportunity to reconnect with Special Olympics athletes - especially a player named Kurt Kinley. “I had already built a wonderful friendship with Kurt through another activity,” Patkunas explained. “His high spirits and energy had me smiling the entire time we were together! He's such a great kid.”

Nearly four decades later, the State Farm Holiday Classic continues to give back – providing ALL athletes the opportunity to play, achieve and be recognized for their accomplishments. After all, that was Knis’ passionately dedicated dream. A dream that became a reality.

Photo Courtesy Nick Patkunas

‘Tis the season to give back. And it’s the first time State Farm® brings professional athletes Aaron Rodgers and Chris Paul together, teaming up for charity.

The Challenge

Working with trick shot experts, @DudePerfect, Rodgers and Paul are challenging each other to bring their best trick shot to benefit a charity of their choice. The #TrickShotChallenge asks us all to do something amazing for our favorite charities during the holidays.

Giving Back

For Rodgers, it’s the work of the Midwest Athletes Childhood Cancer Fund (MACC). The MACC has worked diligently for 39 years to “cure cancer out of existence”.

For Paul, family has always been a priority. To honor his late grandfather, Chris launched a foundation to provide youth with academic and athletic scholarships.

The Charities

The MACC Fund

Former Bucks player Jon McGlocklin formed the MACC Fund in 1976. McGlockin’s good friend and iconic Bucks radio announcer, Eddie Doucette, had a toddler son, Brett, who was battling leukemia. The MACC Fund’s research and support has made an impact on the treatment of children. Thanks in part to the organization’s good work, the five-year cancer survival rate has improved from 20 percent to 80 percent today.

“When Eddie and I started the MACC Fund, we never thought down the road, nearly 40 years, and certainly never dreamed of contributing more than $55 million,” said McGlocklin, the MACC Fund President and Co-Founder. “We just wanted to help kids like Brett have a chance to live.”

[Brett Doucette with his Doctor, Dr. Jim Casper – 2010]

Brett Doucette was one of the organization’s first success stories. He was able to beat leukemia and is now an adult with a young family of his own. And because his family allowed the organization to spotlight the difficult time they were going through, many other families have since been able to help their children become cancer free.

The Chris Paul Family Foundation

The Chris Paul Family Foundation works to support projects in communities throughout Louisiana, California and North Carolina, including:

• Building homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity;
• Providing reading eye glasses for young children whose families do not have the financial means to provide them;
• Packaging weekend meals for elementary aged students who qualify for free or reduced meals during the week days;
• And offering free prom dresses to young girls who lack the financial resources to purchase them.

One young boy who is a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Watts, CA, experienced great joy and excitement when he saw the Chris Paul Family Foundation had renovated the Club. The renovation included a technology lab with computers for young students.

[Boys and Girls Club of Watts new computer lab]

Check out Rodgers and Paul’s trick shots here:

Aaron Rodgers | Chris Paul