As the world grapples with heavy news topics like hostilities between American and Iran, political games and impeachment, wildfires and more — it’s great to see something everyone can cheer about.
The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks have a young superstar named Trae Young, and although the team is struggling to start the season, the young second-year man is making quite a splash. He’s currently 4th among NBA scoring leaders, averaging a whopping 29.2 points per game.
He’s also making a positive impact in the community as well.
WSB-TV 2 in Atlanta reports that Young has partnered with RIP Medical Debt to help cancel $1 million in expenses to families in need by donating $10,000.
Young spoke with WSB2 about the donation:
“The city of Atlanta has welcomed me with open arms,” said Young. “Giving back to this community is extremely important to me. I hope these families can find a bit of relief knowing that their bills have been taken care of as we enter the New Year.”
How does $10,000 wipe out over $1 million in debt?
Faithwire has reported on the non-profit RIP Medical Debt previously, as their wonderful mission begins to gain more attention nationally.
The organization specializes in the debt-buying industry, led by two former debt collections executives, Craig Antico and Jerry Ashton. According to their website, the pair “used their expertise and compassion to create a unique way to forgive medical debt: they would use donations to buy large bundles of medical debt and then forgive that debt with no tax consequences to donors or recipients.”
It’s a fantastic way to use a lifelong skill they’ve acquired and put it toward something larger than themselves.
Family of Faith
Young, for his part, has been outspoken about his Christian faith.
In 2017 he reminded followers on Twitter to keep “Christ” in Christmas.
Faith is a top priority in the Young family. Back in 2018, according to Sports Spectrum, missing church isn’t an option:
Every weekend for Young follows the same routine: He joins his family for Sunday service at Victory Family Church in Norman, followed by lunch. The weekly routine is a part of his mother Candice Young’s plan to keep her family grounded in their faith. And no matter where Young goes in the upcoming NBA Draft — if he leaves after this season — missing church isn’t an option.
Congrats to Young on the great individual start to the season and for continuing to make a positive impact in the community in which he lives!