Rebirth of Hayes Cyclone

Chapter 118 [A kind heart is a philanthropist]

After sweeping the Suns, the Rockets got a lot of adjustment time.It stands to reason that the atmosphere in the Western Conference Finals should be very tense, but the players are very relaxed.The Spurs they defended in the away game in the regular season only scored 69 points. Thinking of this, the Rockets are proud. With the Big Three, they feel that they will definitely win.

There are still three days before the Western Conference Finals. The Rockets have no training, and all members are on vacation to adjust their status.But there are always people who can't stay idle. When Hayes and Azubuike were singled out PK in the arena, they received a call from Mutombo. The two met at the Toyota Center almost all day, so Mutombo Hayes was somewhat surprised that he had never called him.

"Chuck, there is a charity event tonight. Are you interested in participating with me? If you plan to hold a charity event in the future, you can see it. You can dress smarter and bring your celebrity girlfriend." Mutombo's hoarse voice came from his head.

Hayes hesitated a little.He only wanted to help the Chinese, but he didn't have much interest in Thailand.And it was already past two o'clock in the afternoon, he and Azubuike were a little tired from playing, and he really didn't bother to go home and change clothes before participating in this unclear event.

"I know you are tired from playing basketball and don't want to go home and change. But I really hope you don't miss this meaningful event. It's hard to organize a charity gala if you don't go through it a few times. Don't think it will cost money That’s fine, it requires experience, if you really want to do charity, you won’t regret coming here, do you hear me?” Mutombo said in a tone of educating the younger generation.

"Okay, I'll go." Hayes respected "Uncle Mu" and dared not refuse again.I went to the security room to ask for a pen and paper, and asked, "Where shall we meet?"

"At 6:11, Eleventh Street's..."

Hayes jotted down the address, hung up, and left the Toyota Center with Azubuike.

This isn't Hayes' first charity event.Back in February, he was at the annual Rockets benefit gala at the Toyota Center.The theme of the charity dinner is to donate to Houston's partner hospital, the largest "Memorial Hermann Hospital" in Houston, to build a children's treatment center, which will be named after "Rocket".

The party was a great success.The players packed up early and brought their wives and girlfriends to the scene.They greeted and chatted with guests in the VIP box, or chatted happily with each other about casual topics such as clothing.

Tracy McGrady and Shane Battier hosted the party, Rockets owner Alexander made a general welcome speech, and then the auction began.The items participating in the auction are of great background, including NBA star jerseys, sneakers and so on.The most eye-catching ones are the jerseys of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.Among them is a set of Yao Ming's jerseys, which are: the national team jersey, the first-year jersey, the current jersey and the All-Star Game jersey.The four-piece suit was snapped up by a fan for $1.McGrady's popularity is not bad, and a chance to have dinner with him at McGrady's house also attracted 1 photos.
The real climax of the party came from the rocket's runway show.Rocket players and a model team composed of wives and girlfriends performed live performances for the guests.This is a new program for this year's charity gala. Facts have proved that it is also the most brilliant program. At that time, when the whole team of the Rockets went to battle together and walked on the T-stage, the atmosphere reached a climax, and many of the reporters' films were murdered.

The wives who appeared first performed. They were all dressed in fashion and walked the catwalk in style.Although it was trained before, I was still a little embarrassed.Then, each of the Rockets came out holding their wives or girlfriends.Hayes stole the show in this segment, as he was walking the show with Taylor Swift.The warmest applause at the scene also proved this point.The person who got the most applause next was Yao Ming. Ye Li was not there that night, and the mascot "Rocket Bear" walked with Yao Ming...

Today, Taylor Swift is not in Houston.Hayes had to go to the dinner party by himself.Gao Tongxuan might be free, but he didn't want to ask her to come with him.On the one hand, there are more and more advertising endorsement jobs, and it is Gao Tongxuan who is in contact. He wants her to take a break.In addition, he was afraid that there would be scandals from participating in such activities.

Hayes changed into a suit and met Mutombo on time.The two of them are outstanding in height, and they are particularly conspicuous when they walk into the venue
Hayes found that the entire venue was arranged very strangely, not like a banquet hall at all, Mutombo said this is what Thailand looks like.This fundraising is for the reconstruction of the tsunami. Although the disaster has been in the past two years, human factors such as corruption and war have hindered the reconstruction work, and contractors have also absconded with money, which has led to the disaster relief projects and housing reconstruction work of many NGOs. forced to postpone.

In Aceh, Indonesia, the hardest-hit area where more than 16 people were killed that year, tens of thousands of victims are still living in temporary shelters.So, there was this dinner party.

There are performances of monkeys and parrots in the venue, and there is a mini muay thai performance stage in the center of the venue, and two boxers are performing hemp rope muay thai.

Thai beauties wear colorful national costumes, put their hands together, and bow deeply to welcome every guest present.Some people sat on a Thai-style boat and delivered fresh Thai-style fruits to everyone.When Hayes saw a Thai fruit on the plate, he turned his head and laughed.Because the shape of the fruit is so strange, it looks like poop.An embarrassed Mutombo punched him in the back before he stopped laughing.

Every drink on the cocktail table is decorated with honeydew melons cut into baby elephants and hearts.

This is not the same as the grand dinner that Hayes imagined. Although there are many businessmen, dignitaries and celebrities among the guests, people's clothes are not so gorgeous and exaggerated.

The master of ceremonies told everyone that the event is about to begin, please take a seat and enjoy the dinner.It is rare for Hayes to attend high-end banquets in the upper class, and he has been wondering what kind of delicious food he can taste since he was on the road.After sitting for 10 minutes, there was still no food on the table. After a closer look, the guests had already lined up in a long line and took their own food from the long tables on both sides.

It's so boring.A high-end banquet is also a buffet?When everyone was almost selected, Hayes and Mutombo went over to have a look.The food at the dinner party was a tragedy for him, a meat-loving person, because there was nothing on the long table except simple vegetable salad, Thai curry and white rice.It seems that almost all the Americans who come here take a symbolic sip.

Hayes couldn't help but asked, "Dikembe, isn't the food here too simple? Is this what charities do? Won't the guests be angry?"

Mutombo laughed and said: "Do you see that the people around you are angry? This is also the meaning of charity. Everyone present, if you eat one meal less, there will be no change in life at all. Dividing money to help people who are more in need can change the lives of many people."

Hayes smiled, no more complaints.He can learn a lot from Mutombo.In his view, Mutombo is not only a basketball player, but also a great man.He came from the impoverished small African country of Zaire (later renamed Congo). Due to the poverty and disease he witnessed since he was a child, when he was admitted to Georgetown University in the United States at the age of 17, his ambition was to be a doctor, and he hoped to return to his hometown after finishing his studies Heal the sick and save the sick.

In 1998, Mutombo's mother died of illness on the floor of her home due to poor medical conditions in the local hospital.Therefore, Mutombo determined to build a hospital for his hometown. In 2006, he finally realized his long-cherished wish to build a large hospital with 300 beds near the capital Kinshasa.The hospital cost 2900 million US dollars, Mutombo personally donated 1500 million US dollars, and the hospital was named after Mutombo's mother.

Even for an NBA star, this goal is too ambitious.But Mutombo did it. He not only took most of his income to build the hospital, but also came forward to raise a lot of funds, so he received a lot of stares.

In order to raise funds, Mutombo circled among celebrities, business elites and political powerhouses, and his deep and hoarse voice was surprisingly convincing on these occasions.However, in his bones, Mutombo is still a frank and honest African, no different from when he came to Georgetown University from his hometown to study.There, Mutombo studied languages ​​and diplomacy. In addition to English, he can speak French, Portuguese, Spanish and several African local dialects.

The reason why he has been reluctant to retire, in addition to his love for basketball, is also to raise more money for the hospital.

When the auction started, the scene was not as lively as Hayes imagined, and the auction items were not expensive.

It's just ball tickets, concert tickets, air tickets, decorations, etc... But the guests all quietly held up their cards, paying high prices one after another to buy things that are of little value to ordinary people. Very low-key, not showing off at all.And every time they buy something, it may mean the reconstruction of an elementary school, or the rebirth of a family, but they don't even want their names to be mentioned.

The dinner lasted until past 11 o'clock. Surprisingly, no one left early, and everything went on in a simple but orderly manner.

Mutombo generously bought a baseball ticket for $[-].Hayes relied on advertising to make a lot of money, not to be outdone, and spent $[-] to take a sculpture of an unknown street artist.

"Chuck, you're great." Mutombo laughed when the host announced that Hayes' auction was successful.

"I seem to have realized something, thank you for bringing me here." Hayes laughed.

"You're already a good philanthropist," Mutombo said.

"I'm still far away, just a little effort." Hayes laughed.Hearing Mutombo's praise, he suddenly felt very fulfilled.

Mutombo held Hayes' shoulders and said seriously in his hoarse voice: "No, you already are. Because you have a heart. Even if you don't have money, as long as you have a heart, you are a philanthropist. There are many people. Need help, not everyone needs financial help. Maybe they just need you to give them a strong hug when they are sad, maybe they just need you to be quiet and listen when they are confused , maybe you can save a lot of people just by donating your precious time. Therefore, charity is not just something rich people should do. Anyone, no matter strong or weak, as long as they have a kind heart, can Helping those around me in so many ways.”

A kind heart is a philanthropist!
Mutombo's words brought back some past life memories of Hayes.During some large-scale charity events, some celebrities often arrive late to play big names, and leave early after lip-syncing.Do they have a heart?The only thing they care about is the size of the page of the press release the next day, whether the headline is good enough, whether the photos taken by the reporter are photogenic, whether the news is positive, and whether the hype can be achieved after the event...

It is a pity that the lives of many rich people are empty, because they haven't had time to learn how to love others, but they participate in charity activities with a high-sounding appearance.They may not know who the donations collected will end up in, let alone what the people in need really need. The only thing they care about is exposure and reputation.

To put it more seriously, some wealthy businessmen auction off expensive luxury goods in order to show off in front of others, to give their own business a reputation, to put gold on their faces, and to better avoid taxes. There are even many companies forcing employees to donate money, but how many ordinary people really care about it?
Fortunately, such rich people are a minority.

This event really benefited Hayes a lot.When he has more funds next year, it's time to put it into practice.

(End of this chapter)