Charles Johnson donated 750 pairs of Nike shoes to the Pulaski County Schools Superintendent’s Office, the Charles Johnson Foundation announced.
Within the donation, Johnson supplied the Hawkinsville High School football team with cleats and the girls and boys basketball teams with basketball shoes. The additional shoes will be distributed by the Superintendent’s Office.
“I want to continue to take advantage of any opportunity I have to give back to Hawkinsville and Pulaski County,” Johnson said. “I never forget where I came from and I’m proud to be able to continue to give back.”
The donation comes shortly after Johnson hosted the third annual free-of-charge Charles Johnson Foundation Sports Academy and Community Weekend in Hawkinsville, GA, on June 20-21. The event brought more than 1,000 participants to football, basketball, tennis, dance and cheer clinics, which were led by Johnson and some of his NFL and NBA friends. The foundation also hosted a college fair and a community night. Additionally, Johnson presented two $20,000 scholarships to one male and one female senior student-athlete at Hawkinsville High School.
For additional information on the shoe donation or for media requests, contact Meredith Geisler at (703) 740-5015 or mgeisler@tandemse.com. For information on the distribution of the remaining shoes, contact the Pulaski County School System at (478) 783-7200.
ABOUT CHARLES JOHNSON & THE CHARLES JOHNSON FOUNDATION
Charles Johnson is a native of Hawkinsville, GA, and a proud alumnus of Hawkinsville High School. After attending the University of Georgia where he starred at defensive end, Charles was drafted by the Carolina Panthers of the NFL in 2007.
Through seven professional seasons, Charles has received All-Pro recognition on the strength of 54 career sacks, placing him among the premier pass-rushers in the league.
In 2012, Charles’ passion for philanthropy and loyalty to Middle Georgia led him to launch the Charles Johnson Foundation. A non-profit organization, the Charles Johnson Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling a two-fold mission:
- Providing opportunities for under-served youth to reach their full potential through athletic, recreational, and educational programs and initiatives; and
- Providing support for single African American mothers through proven programs and initiatives.
The Charles Johnson Foundation Sports Academy and Community Weekend is the flagship annual event for the Charles Johnson Foundation, combining his efforts to advance education with free sports clinics in football, basketball, tennis, dance and cheer.
