Harlem Globetrotters Help Lincoln Teen Sponsor Blind Campers

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April 4, 2012, Lincoln, Nebraska . . . [CRN]  To celebrate his 13th birthday, Christian Philson of Lincoln, Nebraska decided to help 13 kids who are blind enjoy summer camp. At $679 per attendee, he faced a daunting fund-raising challenge. A March 25 pancake breakfast at College View Seventh-day Adventist Church raised about half his goal. Then the Harlem Globetrotters, the world-famous basketball exhibition team, became involved.

Known worldwide as the Ambassadors of Goodwill™, the Globetrotters team takes part in multiple community outreach programs and charitable efforts each year.  Their publicist heard about Philson’s campaign of compassion.  With the Globetrotters coming to Lincoln, she arranged for the local teen to be acknowledged as an honorary Ambassador of Goodwill.  He received an autographed jersey and basketball from the Globetrotters during half-time of their April 4 game at Pershing Center.  The team also donated autographed memorabilia for a fundraiser raffle, with all proceeds awarded to National Camps for the Blind.  (When the total amount raised is announced, it will be posted on Outlookmag.org.)

Philson says he is amazed by the help he has received toward making his birthday dream come true.  One of his biggest supporters is his grandfather, Joe Martinez, who works at Christian Record Services for the Blind.  The Lincoln-based charity provides spiritual materials and other services, such as National Camps for the Blind, for visually handicapped adults and children.

“We at the Christian Record home office applaud the efforts of Christian Philson,” said Rajmund Dabrowski, assistant to the president for marketing.  “His philanthropic spirit, at such an early age, is a testament to the creativity of our church’s youth.  Christian is an inspiration to us, and we would love to see this idea catch on with other young people.” 

For more information about National Camps for the Blind, visit christianrecord.org.

*Article released for use by CRSB/CRN with permission from Martin Weber/Outlook magazine. 

Caption for attached photo CRSB-1: Harlem Globetrotters basketball players presented Christian Philson (center) with an autographed jersey at half-time of their April 4 game in Lincoln, Nebraska, and pronounced him their honorary “Ambassador of Goodwill.” At right are Kartney Green (a friend helping in the Blind Camp project); Jose Martínez (grandfather); Chris Philson (father); and Skip Philson (grandfather).  Photo by Jeri Lyn Rogge, Christian Record News

Caption for attached photo CRSB-2: During a half-time ceremony in Lincoln, Nebraska, Christian Philson distributes Christian Record calendars to Harlem Globetrotters basketball players before receiving an autographed jersey from the team as an honorary “Ambassador of Goodwill.” Photo by Rebecca Philson