NBA player Adonal Foyle appealed to the local Vincentian population to support his first Toronto fund-raiser Saturday. The Orlando Magic centre held a Caribbean-themed benefit at Cryptic Canvas art gallery this past weekend to support the Kerosene Lamp Foundation—a nonprofit organization he founded in 2005 to support the youth of his native St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
"Adonal has been the primary source [of funding] for the foundation, but that's not sustainable," foundation executive director Shiyana Valentine said. So the foundation decided to start hosting fund-raising events in some of the cities Foyle will be visiting this basketball season, she said. "There is a large Vincentian population in Toronto. He wanted to reach out them, to give them a way to send some money home."
In a statement Foyle said he uses the foundation "as a forum to talk about the importance of education and health awareness and bring vital issues such as HIV/AIDS and illiteracy to the forefront. As KLF grows we will also build and refurbish basketball courts in low-income neighborhoods to leave youth with a lasting reminder of my belief in their potential, not just to play basketball, but also to live healthy and productive lives."
The foundation partnered with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association in Toronto to promote the event and used Facebook and emails to registered foundation members to spread the word, Valentine said. Saturday's cocktail party featured Caribbean food provided by Dream Caribbean Caterers and appearances by Foyle's teammates Mickael Pietrus and Marcin Gortat. DJ Fusion played for the 50 guests, who also had the chance to bid on items during a silent auction. "It's a party. We want people to get their groove on and dance," Valentine said.
Foyle also held a meet and greet with supporters prior to the Magic's game against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre Sunday. The foundation is also planning game events in Boston, Washington, New York, Atlanta, and Orlando this season.
