Hooped Up

To help millions of people already dying from AIDS in Africa live dramatically longer and fuller lives, you can make a difference by lacing up with (NIKE)RED shoe laces. It’s that easy.

Soccer fan Kobe Bryant along with soccer stars Didier Drogba, Andrei Arshavin, Clint Dempsey, Denilson, Marco Materazzi, Javier Mascherano, Fabio Cannavaro, and tennis star Maria Sharapova want to encourage fans globally to “Lace Up Save Lives.”

Read More »

Philadelphia 76ers centre Samuel Dalembert is going to his native Haiti with the aid group Project MediShare to assist with the earthquake relief effort.

The 76ers released a statement Monday night saying Dalembert, who moved to Montreal as a teenager, did not return to Philadelphia with the team after a loss in Minnesota earlier in the day. He is being excused from practice Tuesday but is expected to play in Wednesday’s home game against Portland.

Dalembert is the NBA’s only Haitian-born player. He has taped a public service announcement for UNICEF encouraging fans to contribute. He will address the crowd before the 76ers’ home game Friday and make a US$100,000 donation to UNICEF. He will also match the donations made by fans at the game.

Press Release

I really don’t know how to call this one. PETA is a radical organization that goes over the top to protect animal rights and they get positive results through shock value.  I for one really dig that, but do they really need to back Gilbert Arenas to relay their non-violent message?

On the same day Arenas is scheduled to appear in court on weapons charges. PETA has stated that they will stand behind Arenas who is featured in their latest INK NOT MINK poster campaign. Somehow this seems like bad timing though.

What do you guys thing?

As often as possible here at Hooped Up, Freshly Dipped features some of the best kicks in the game. However, in light of the earthquake disaster in Haiti, I’m hoping you’ll be able to help people that have lost everything with some of your old kicks.

Totally inspired by Matt Halfhill over at Nice Kicks, I’m hoping that my audience will be able to lend a hand to aid Haiti by sending shoes to people that desperately need them.  You can make a difference.

Here is how you can help:

1) Text “SHOES” to 20222 to donate $5 to Soles4Souls.

2) Send any new or gently worn shoes to:

Sneakerheads for Haiti
Soles4Souls, Inc.
315 Airport Road
Roanoke, AL 36274

3) Tell all your friends, family, coworkers, classmates about this effort.

Go to www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake to help.

Go to www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake to help.

On his off day, Leandro Barbosa aka the “Brazilian Blur” teamed up with St. Vincent de Paul to help bring a little holiday cheer to 400 families.

Great stuff Mr. Barbosa!

Even though all the talk surrounding Friday’s Bulls whupin’ by the Cavs centered around Joakim Noah getting riled up by a light footed LeBron. The King and a few of his teammates by wearing pink shoes, were raising awareness to “Box Out Cancer” a program run by the Cleveland Clinic Breast Center. So the LeBron VII got yet another remix, but this time for an excellent cause.

After the jump, see more of this cancer awareness freshness for a good cause.

Read More »

Christmas is coming early for 100 kids in the New Orleans area, and they can call Hornets Chis Paul and David West Santa Claus, because today the two All-Stars are taking them on a shopping spree at Toys“R”Us in Metairie, LA on Monday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. (Central)

The children who are taking part in the spree are from local organizations such as the Catholic Charities, Awesome Ladies of Distinction and The Salvation Army. Each child will receive a $100 gift card to buy gifts for others or to purchase toys for themselves. Paul and West will be on hand to help the kids shop and make their purchases.

Awesome work gentlemen!

via Hornets 24/7

Recently Amar’e Stoudemire took some time out of his busy schedule to help advocate animal rights in collaboration with PETA by shooting two anti-fur ads. In this behind the scenes video, STAT speaks about his love for animals and why he got involved to help make a change.

Other people who have stepped up in or around the NBA for animal rights are Lakers scout Bonnie-Jill Laflin, Ron Artest, and Lamar Odom’s wife Khloe Kardashian.

Great stuff!