http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13553769p-14394471c.html
Ailene Voisin: Divac is coming to the rescue
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, September 12, 2005[font=verdana,geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
He is 37 years old. He has a balky lower back. He has a boss who is obsessed with youth, though, at the moment, is enamored of the elderly Los Angeles Lakers legend (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) recently hired to tutor the kids.
So this is not exactly Vlade Divac's grand or gracious exit. The former Kings center wanted to retire on his own terms, or at least on different terms, and preferably with a job as an assistant coach in Los Angeles. Instead, and much more significantly, he leaves while making a difference, while working for free, this time donating his services to children and families devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
In conjunction with his Group Seven Children's Foundation, Divac has established a one-day donation center outside the L'Image Bistro in the Pavilions. Between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. today, he and his wife, Ana, will collect donated items such as diapers, baby food, school supplies and paper towels, among other things, and load them onto a 25-foot long truck. (Or more trucks if needed.)
Later in the evening, Divac will drive the goods to a distribution center in Houston.
"I have more than I ever needed," said the 16-year pro, adding that he expects to officially retire within the next few weeks. "This is a chance to give something back, and that's what I have to do. I just can't sit back and do nothing."
A native of Serbia, Divac was visiting Belgrade when the extent of the crisis became apparent. Though horrified by the images, especially those involving children, he couldn't avert his eyes. Finally, after watching clips of actor Sean Penn wading through waist-deep water to rescue evacuees, he hastily returned to California and summoned his business partners to the family-owned L'Image.
"When you see those kids on little boats, see the houses destroyed, and you think about working your whole life for a house, and it's gone in 30-40 seconds, it is overwhelming," said Divac, noting that damage from bombing is still evident in his homeland. "Believe me, I have seen it before. It doesn't matter if it's from war or natural disaster. These people are helpless. The whole world should be helping. Who else can these people rely on?"
Several other athletes and NBA stars are utilizing their professional stature to become personally involved. TNT analyst Kenny Smith organized a charity game that attracted many of the league's elite players - and, at his insistence - required them to ditch their handlers and interact with evacuees inside the Houston Astrodome. Derek Anderson established a foundation called Support Our Survivors (S.O.S.) to assist with permanent housing. Shaquille O'Neal personally visited New Orleans for an overview of the damage, then launched a charity drive in Miami and spent days loading trucks with donated goods, furniture and other items.
Closer to home, the Kings/Monarchs organization is conducting an on-line auction and will match the donation total. Joe Maloof also urged Divac to visit the Kings' team store and take whatever he wanted.
"Vlade can clean us out if he wants," the club's co-owner said late Sunday. "I'm sure the kids could use the sweaters, T-shirts, baseball hats. Maybe it will cheer them up a little bit. I don't know anyone who isn't devastated by what happened."
What is interesting, though not surprising, is that Divac scheduled his latest charity event in Sacramento, not Los Angeles. In a sense, he never really left. He still hears cheers at Arco Arena, still visits often, still is greeted warmly around town. He also remembers the line that stretched into a 3 1/2-hour wait during his Group Seven toy drive at Tower Records in 2000. Furthermore, his wife continues to run L'Image, and he maintains contact with the Maloofs, Geoff Petrie and other members of the organization.
So, no, don't lose sight of Vlade. After his retirement becomes official and he returns from a year's sabbatical in Europe, he undoubtedly will pursue a position with the Kings. He was always a franchise and local favorite. He could play, and he cared. He was always kind. "The people of Sacramento were always very good to me," he said from his cell phone. "I feel connected with them. They always know how to help. And I am willing to use my name or whatever I can to do something. If they need more when I come back from the European Championships next week, we will figure something else out. New Orleans needs our help."
Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com [/font]
Ailene Voisin: Divac is coming to the rescue
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, September 12, 2005[font=verdana,geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
He is 37 years old. He has a balky lower back. He has a boss who is obsessed with youth, though, at the moment, is enamored of the elderly Los Angeles Lakers legend (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) recently hired to tutor the kids.
So this is not exactly Vlade Divac's grand or gracious exit. The former Kings center wanted to retire on his own terms, or at least on different terms, and preferably with a job as an assistant coach in Los Angeles. Instead, and much more significantly, he leaves while making a difference, while working for free, this time donating his services to children and families devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
In conjunction with his Group Seven Children's Foundation, Divac has established a one-day donation center outside the L'Image Bistro in the Pavilions. Between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. today, he and his wife, Ana, will collect donated items such as diapers, baby food, school supplies and paper towels, among other things, and load them onto a 25-foot long truck. (Or more trucks if needed.)
Later in the evening, Divac will drive the goods to a distribution center in Houston.
"I have more than I ever needed," said the 16-year pro, adding that he expects to officially retire within the next few weeks. "This is a chance to give something back, and that's what I have to do. I just can't sit back and do nothing."
A native of Serbia, Divac was visiting Belgrade when the extent of the crisis became apparent. Though horrified by the images, especially those involving children, he couldn't avert his eyes. Finally, after watching clips of actor Sean Penn wading through waist-deep water to rescue evacuees, he hastily returned to California and summoned his business partners to the family-owned L'Image.
"When you see those kids on little boats, see the houses destroyed, and you think about working your whole life for a house, and it's gone in 30-40 seconds, it is overwhelming," said Divac, noting that damage from bombing is still evident in his homeland. "Believe me, I have seen it before. It doesn't matter if it's from war or natural disaster. These people are helpless. The whole world should be helping. Who else can these people rely on?"
Several other athletes and NBA stars are utilizing their professional stature to become personally involved. TNT analyst Kenny Smith organized a charity game that attracted many of the league's elite players - and, at his insistence - required them to ditch their handlers and interact with evacuees inside the Houston Astrodome. Derek Anderson established a foundation called Support Our Survivors (S.O.S.) to assist with permanent housing. Shaquille O'Neal personally visited New Orleans for an overview of the damage, then launched a charity drive in Miami and spent days loading trucks with donated goods, furniture and other items.
Closer to home, the Kings/Monarchs organization is conducting an on-line auction and will match the donation total. Joe Maloof also urged Divac to visit the Kings' team store and take whatever he wanted.
"Vlade can clean us out if he wants," the club's co-owner said late Sunday. "I'm sure the kids could use the sweaters, T-shirts, baseball hats. Maybe it will cheer them up a little bit. I don't know anyone who isn't devastated by what happened."
What is interesting, though not surprising, is that Divac scheduled his latest charity event in Sacramento, not Los Angeles. In a sense, he never really left. He still hears cheers at Arco Arena, still visits often, still is greeted warmly around town. He also remembers the line that stretched into a 3 1/2-hour wait during his Group Seven toy drive at Tower Records in 2000. Furthermore, his wife continues to run L'Image, and he maintains contact with the Maloofs, Geoff Petrie and other members of the organization.
So, no, don't lose sight of Vlade. After his retirement becomes official and he returns from a year's sabbatical in Europe, he undoubtedly will pursue a position with the Kings. He was always a franchise and local favorite. He could play, and he cared. He was always kind. "The people of Sacramento were always very good to me," he said from his cell phone. "I feel connected with them. They always know how to help. And I am willing to use my name or whatever I can to do something. If they need more when I come back from the European Championships next week, we will figure something else out. New Orleans needs our help."
Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com [/font]
