Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem, and More Spotted in Miami for NBA Champion’s Starry Event

The city of Miami recently witnessed a star-studded fund-raiser event. And the bond created by the city’s premier basketball team, the Miami Heat, was visible for everyone to see. Hosted by Miami icon and 7x All-Star-turned philanthropist Alonzo Mourning and his wife Tracy Wilson Mourning, the World Red Eye described the event as a night of celebration and philanthropy. Some of the notable appearances included former Miami Heat stars like Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade.

Apart from Wade and Haslem, some other members of the NBA community were also a part of the event. Miami Heat President Pat Riley and ex-New York Knicks star Patrick Ewing were among the ones featured in the photos. Yet another special appearance at the event included Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, Ne-Yo.

The celebratory event came on the occasion of Overtown Youth Center (OYC) Miami’s ‘It’s All Overtown’ 20th Year Celebration Platinum Affair. As per World Red Eye, this fundraiser event marks two decades of OYC in Miami, featuring the grand opening of its redesigned 56,000-square-foot facility with various amenities. It is worth mentioning that Alonzo Mourning founded the organization back in 2003, along with real-estate developer Martin Z.

The official website of the non-profit organization states OYC to be “a community development organization that provides a set of comprehensive programs and services for youth, adults and families in our community.” 

As per the organization’s website, the motive of the OYC Miami is to elevate people. This is done with the help of educational, health and wellness, social, financial, and career programs. And what Alonzo Mourning had stated before the fundraiser event reflects the core values behind the organization still standing firm on their ground.

Alonzo Mourning’s vision with OYC Miami in present scenario

“There’s communities like Overtown, Carol City, Liberty City, Opa-Locka, the list goes on. There are inner cities that are extremely impoverished and these are the fans that lifted me up over the years. So I feel like with all the contributions that have been made to my life and has allowed me to get to where I am, I feel like I owe this community,” he told the Miami Herald.

Mourning feels he owes these communities the support necessary for their children’s children to accomplish their dreams. And this is just one of the many ways for the ex-Miami Heat star to give back to society. It is worth mentioning that he also founded the Mourning Family Foundation.

As per the reports, the foundation has raised over $25 million for various programs. The programs aid the development of children and their families. These contributions by Alonzo Mourning testify that a person can be much more than just successful and rich.