(LEX 18) — Former NFL running back Damien Harris is giving back to his Kentucky roots through the newly launched Heart of Harris Foundation, hosting his second annual football camp for local children.

The free camp took place at Madison Central High School in Richmond, welcoming kids from the area and surrounding communities.

Harris said the foundation’s mission extends beyond athletics, aiming to equip youth across the country with tools for both physical and mental wellness.

“I wanna use football, obviously as a game we all know and love, to teach these kids use it as a vehicle. Obviously you can achieve a lot of great things with this game, but at some point it ends. It ended for me, it ends for everybody. But you can use this vehicle to drive you to heights you never thought you’d get to,” Harris said.

The camp was divided into two sessions, with the second session for ages 13 to 16 running from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Harris emphasized that starting in the community where he began his football journey was the perfect way to give back.

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The Off the Field NFL Wives Association and the National Basketball Wives Association joined forces on Saturday to host a free youth girls basketball clinic at the James Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada.

The event aimed to teach more than just basketball skills, focusing on building confidence, leadership, and sisterhood through sports.

In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, the clinic was designed to promote teamwork, mentorship, and fun for young girls of all skill levels.

Yolanda Mationg is the Chief Development Officer at the James Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada, and she says there were other non-profits that the girls had a chance to speak with.

The North Las Vegas Fire Department was at the event, and the girls had a chance to get a hands-on look inside one of the fire trucks.

The National Basketball Wives Association President, Sabrina Galloway, says she was excited to launch the basketball initiative, and that “Both organizations are rooted in service.”

The initiative was supported by partners, including Southwest Airlines, the Department of Family Services, and Vegas Elite, all contributing to an empowering and inclusive experience.

Tenisha Patterson-Brown is the President of the Off the Field NFL Wives Association, explained what it means to support the young girls.

“The girls are learning life skills. Our initiatives focus on health and wellness and education.”

The clinic welcomed girls entering 2nd through 8th grade, with registration already closed.

Organizers emphasized the importance of community impact and youth development, aiming to uplift the next generation and show young girls that they have potential both on the court and in life.

MONROE — The Monroe Wrestling Club (MWC) successfully hosted its 2nd Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser on Saturday, June 21, at the Monroe Golf Club. This year’s event proved to be an even greater success for the non-profit organization, with all funds raised dedicated to enhancing opportunities for young wrestlers in the thriving program.

“We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we received at our golf outing,” said Heidi Witt, MWC Secretary. “The funds raised will directly impact our ability to provide valuable experiences and resources for our dedicated young athletes as they grow within the sport.”

MWC extends its sincere appreciation to all the generous sponsors who made this event possible: Richard & Rebecca Beem Foundation, Blackhawk Quarry Products, Davis Foundations, E & N Hughes, Kundert Construction, Larse Trucking, TUGS, Eckdhal Family Dentistry, Schuh Shop, Titan Tire, Woodford State Bank, Deb & Dan Krattiger, and Klondike Cheese. Their commitment to the club’s mission is invaluable.

In addition to the successful fundraiser, the MWC proudly awarded scholarships to two deserving high school seniors who have been integral to the wrestling program: Delaney Sweeney, a dedicated wrestling manager, and Carson Menehan, a talented wrestler. Delaney will continue her education at UW-River Falls, pursuing a career as a Veterinarian. Carson will attend Loras College, where he will also continue his wrestling journey.

We’re almost halfway through the summer, and are nearing the time when we think about going back to school.

One of the concerns that often gets raised relates to how some young people lose knowledge during the summer months. They might be performing at grade level in the spring and then be behind when they get back in the fall.

It might be because they don’t get time on task with reading and math. They aren’t sitting at their desks doing work sheets or skill building exercises.

Even so, I don’t think year-round school is the answer. Children need a break in the action, something different that can get them to go beyond the classroom. Many teenagers need summer work to save up for college or for a car.

There’s no shortage of learning opportunities in the summer. I had many of them back in the 1970s and 1980s. There’s even more available in 2025.

One of my first summer learning opportunities centered around the upstairs children’s department at the downtown Marshall Lyon County library.

Mrs. Doyle always had interesting class sessions. She knew how to make sure that everyone learned something at story hour and that we read the books we took home. From what I’ve observed, that’s still the case at the current library next to the middle school.

I remember the Wednesday night summer band concerts at Liberty Park, which have traditions such as Sousa marches and a kids march that have continued over the years. Summer was a time for many of my friends to take band lessons.

The Marshall Area Stage Company has done a great job of having a summer musical every year. There are plenty of parts for children, and it doesn’t require any special musical gifts.

I recall attending the Lyon County Fair each year. I walked through the animal barns to see farm animals that I rarely saw at other times of the year. I could tell there was something for everyone in 4-H. That’s still true.

We have summer camps at Lake Shetek and the Marshall Area YMCA. My main memory of camps was a spring trip for 6th graders to Camp Foley in northern Minnesota. I learned how to paddle a canoe and made an attempt to shoot arrows.

Sports camps and leagues have grown larger and more competitive in the past 50 years. I remember when we had tee-shirts rather than uniforms, ribbons instead of trophies.

In youth baseball I had a couple of memorable moments. I once hit a foul ball that rolled into my mother’s purse. I made an unassisted double play one year to end the final game of the season.

I remember swimming lessons, when I cruised through the programs until I had to blow up clothes in the Swimmer’s class. I decided that lifeguarding probably wasn’t right for me, but learned enough to enjoy pools and lakes.

Summer jobs still usually offer excellent chances to learn. I found my seasonal college job in the late 1980s very rewarding. I was part of the city’s playground staff that planned a program called Adventure Center. We did games, crafts, sports and field trips.

Many families take advantage every year of the chance to travel. My family took several trips to San Antonio, Texas to visit my aunt and uncle. I saw a lot of the United States. both in Texas and by taking car trips through the heartland of America. We also made many shorter trips to the Twin Cities to visit relatives.

Sometimes really good learning happens at home. I remember cooking, gardening and looking things up in the World Book Encyclopedia.

My sister and I also played school. We each had a classroom in back rooms of the basement. We’d use the workbooks we’d brought home at the end of the year and pretend to teach the reading and math. It definitely helped as far as retaining knowledge.

I think parents play a big role in whether students benefit from summer activities. They should take an interest, help their children choose from the many possibilities. It shouldn’t all be left to activities staff and daycare providers.

Summer could be boring toward the end or potentially an adventure that lasts the full three months. It all depends on how families approach it.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter and contributor to the Marshall Independent

The hardest part of Thursday for 9-year-old Kaiden Smith was figuring out what to do with the $10 he had left to spend at Dick’s Sporting Goods. 

Seeing Smith pause to think about what to do with the remaining money, the employee assigned to guide him around the store stopped pushing the shopping cart – which was loaded down with new football equipment such as gloves, a mouth piece, a back plate, a reusable Gatorade bottle and even a new pair of Nike shoes – to let him think. After all, Smith didn’t have to worry about anyone telling him what he could get.

Picking up the bill was Jeffrey Simmons, a Macon native and two-time All-Pro defensive lineman who signed a $94 million contract extension with the Tennessee Titans in 2023.

Smith was one of 10 lucky youth players randomly selected out of the 650 enrollees of Simmons’ football camp being held in Starkville on Friday and Saturday. All 10 were brought to the Dick’s Sporting Goods in Columbus where each had $300 to spend on anything in the store.

Thursday was the third time Simmons and his Give Em A Reason foundation partnered with a sporting goods store for the shopping spree. The idea comes from his turbulent upbringing where Simmons and his four other siblings were all raised by his mother as a single parent.

“Nothing was handed to me,” said Simmons, who posted 41 solo tackles, five sacks and forced two fumbles for the Titans last season.

So today, it’s his mission to give back to the youth to try and provide a beacon of hope to those that may need it.

“You just never know whose day you could make and whose life you could save or change,” Simmons said. “This doesn’t get old. That’s the reason why I still enjoy playing this game. Being able to wake up and do what I do; God blessed me to be in a position on a professional level, and I feel as if it’s my job and responsibility to use my platform to touch (the lives of) our youth, because we know our youth are our future.

“Just to be a light in the community and make someone’s day. You never know what these kid’s families are dealing with. Being able to come back and just be that light. That’s my biggest goal. It’s not just about giving back the money, it’s about trying to make someone’s day.”

Simmons definitely made Smith’s day when he learned he was selected. He said he started “zooming around the house” in excitement. Smith took a calmer approach to solving his pesky financial situation though, opting to put his hand on his face and quietly ponder. With a little help from Smith’s guide, he decided the rest of the remaining money should be spent on snacks and drinks and scurried off to the front of the store to make his picks.

“It’s really cool because I have never, ever done this before,” Smith said of the shopping spree, pausing a moment to look around the store and take it all in. “This is my first time ever doing this before. It’s so surprising. I didn’t even know I got picked. … I’m probably very lucky to be here and meet new people.”

His favorite item he got was his new shoes. He said he planned on wearing them during P.E during school at New Hope but decided against it.

“Well, I’m not going to ruin my nice shoes,” he said, explaining his thinking.

Wesley Dodd, a 15-year-old offensive lineman at Starkville High School, filled up his shopping cart with new workout shirts and shorts, a new pair of cleats and shoes and a water bottle. 

“I was excited just for the camp at first, and then once I learned that I got to do the shopping spree, I was definitely excited,” Dodd said.

Simmons, who made sure to walk around the store and chat with the kids, stopped by when Dodd was picking out the shoes and talked with him.

“It was fun and interactive,” Dodd said of talking with Simmons. “Just all-in-all a good time.” 

Thursday was a reminder to Simmons why he created his foundation in the first place. Seeing all the smiles and excitement from the kids. He hopes their new gear will empower them to succeed in sports and in life.

“When I talk about ‘Give Em A Reason,’ that’s what it’s about. Give people a reason to give you an opportunity. Give people a reason to give you a scholarship. It doesn’t have to be football. That’s what I tell the young athletes at the football camp. They know that not all of them are going to play professional football, but it’s the same message that I try to give to everybody.”

Daylan Shanklin, a 9-year-old student at Earl Nash Elementary who loves to play football, snagged some shirts, a new football, a new pair of shoes, a Gatorade bottle, athletic tape and a few other items during his trip through the store. 

Shanklin’s mother, Angelica Shanklin, said she’s appreciative of Simmons’ generosity.

“Well, I’m very excited, because being a single mom – it’s hard,” Shanklin told The Dispatch. “We are very thankful for the opportunity”

She hopes that through the new football and shoes, Daylan sees Simmons’ message of working hard to one day provide a moment of light to the community.

“I told (Daylan), ‘Make sure you get things to make sure one day you’ll be able to give back,’” Angelica said. “Hopefully. One day.”