More often than not, when we come across news related to the off-field activities of star sports athletes, it is usually negative gossip. They are seldom given well-deserved attention for investing their time and resources towards serving the global community.
Several star sports athletes go out of their way and spend their own money towards charitable activities, hoping to make the world a better place. They use their position to generate awareness among their fans about the causes they care about.
Curated below is a list of the 5 most charitable star athletes who are known for their generous donations and charitable organizations. This list is in no particular order however, these athletes have consistently been at the top of their game and giving for most of their careers.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Considered one of the best soccer players of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo is a huge believer in charity. His underlying principle for doing so is derived from his father who said, “When you help other people, God will give you double.”
Therefore, he has never shied away from donating excessively for the betterment of those in need. For instance, in 2015, he gave close to $9 million in aid to the victims of the horrific Nepal Earthquake. Furthermore, he has made a significant contribution to the construction of a pediatric hospital in Chile.
Recognizing his efforts to help children, he was appointed as the ambassador of the Save The Child Organization. Previously he had made an $83,000 donation for bearing the medical expenses of a 10-year-old child who needed to undergo brain surgery.
However, his greatest contribution is perhaps auctioning one of his five coveted Ballon d’Or trophies to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation. These are just some of his contributions among numerous charitable activities for the betterment of others.
LeBron James
One of the first names that comes to mind when one thinks about basketball is LeBron James. He is a fan favorite among all enthusiasts of the sport. However, his brilliance is not restricted solely to his on-court exploits.
Coming from a humble background, King James realized the importance of money at a young age. Therefore, he established the LeBron James Family Foundation, through which he has raised close to $40 million to support thousands of children with their education in his hometown, Ohio.
Moreover, the basketball star has raised $2.5 million through his ESPN TV Special The Decision, all of which he has generously donated towards charity. Furthermore, he has created the I Promise School that assists at-risk youngsters to access quality education.
Serena Williams
Even if you are not a tennis fan, you must be familiar with Serena Williams. A living legend of the game, this star sports athlete is known to defeat all odds and emerging as one of the greatest of all time. Amidst her on-court conquests, she still makes out time to support social causes and contribute towards them.
She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador who works with dedication towards helping educate children in Asia. Furthermore, she has donated towards building two schools in Kenya and volunteered to immunize children in Ghana.
Moreover, through her Serena Williams Foundation, she has assisted in sending several underprivileged children to school as well as assisting the poor with legal representation. She also supports the Elton John AIDS Foundation and many other causes.
Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr. is a young soccer star from Brazil who is known for his philanthropic activities for the underprivileged children in his home country. He has founded the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr. that targets disadvantaged youngsters in Brazil and supports them in the development of extra-curricular and sporting skills.
Furthermore, the organization also works towards generating awareness about education and recycling. Apart from this, the star sports athlete has also partnered with PayPal to provide clean drinking water to 85,000 Brazilians.
Russell Wilson
A quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, his immense contribution towards improving the lives of the children of Seattle is incredible. He is known to spend a lot of his time with the sick in Seattle’s Children Hospital.
Additionally, he has also established the charitable organization Invested with Russell that raises money for active charities in Seattle. Furthermore, his interest in aiding needy children has motivated him to form the Why Not You Foundation that raises money to aid development projects for children.
Moreover, he is also a national ambassador for the Charles Ray III Diabetes Association.
Takeaway
These sports stars are the epitome of what it means to be human. They convey the message that we should always give back to society because it improves the lives of those less fortunate and with it comes the happiness of having the ability to put a smile on another’s face.
