In 1996, Seattle Supersonics All-Star point guard Gary Payton established The Gary Payton Foundation, which benefits underprivileged youth.  The foundation hopes to provide opportunities in the areas of education, recreation and overall wellness to at-risk youth who are deprived of basic options in life.  Each year GP hosts the Gary Payton All Star Classic, a charity basketball game featuring top NBA players.  In addition, various corporations make donations to the Foundation for every steal and assist Gary makes in a game.  Beneficiaries of the Gary Payton Foundation include Big Brothers/Big Sisters and UNCF (United Negro College Fund).

Eight years ago, David Robinson of the world champion San Antonio Spurs promised 91 fifth-graders that if they made it through the 12th grade, he’d pay $2,000 towards their continuing education. About 50 of them graduated from high school last year, and Robinson attended the commencement ceremony for 25 of them at Sam Houston High School. "People say I’ve given them this, but really, these kids have given me a lot more," he says. "I went to that graduation, and I felt like a dad to 25 kids! How cool is that?"Robinson is involved in much more as well. Two years ago he and his wife Valerie gave $5 million to the Carver Complex, a college prep school and cultural center that’s going to be built in one of the worst sections of San Antonio. He also feeds the homeless through his Feed My Sheep program, and helps needy families get diapers and baby food through the Ruth Project. "These aren’t sacrifices for me," Robinson says. "If I’m clutching on to my money with both hands, how can I be free to hug my wife and kids?"

Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers has appeared at every March of Dimes Walk America in San Francisco since 1992, leading calisthenics, signing autographs and making motivational speeches. Rice and his wife Jackie have also donated over $55,000 to the March of Dimes through his 127 Foundation, named for his NFL-record 127th career touchdown. With kids of his own, Rice realizes how lucky he is. Says Rice, "It made me think, Jerry, your kids are healthy, but there are those out there who aren’t. So why not do whatever you can to help?"

Upon retirement from professional tennis, Chris Evert started her own foundation, of which almost all the money supports "The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida," a program that sponsors substance-abuse programs throughout the state. Many are for pregnant women and mothers, offering shelter, treatment, parental education and job training and placement services. Says Evert, "When I talk to the women and hold the children, I hear the pride in the woman’s voice when she tells me how she changed her life after being on the street, or abused by her husband. How many mistakes have we made in our lives? People deserve a second chance."

Quincy Lewis, the Big Ten's leading scorer playing for Minnesota's Golden Gophers, fulfills his extracurricular responsibilities with the same efficiency he brings to the court. In December, Lewis ran a food drive. In April, he participated in an Easter Seals fund raising campaign by being "mock jailed" and then raising bail. Lewis's coach, Clem Haskins said, "He does so many civic minded things, I can't keep track of them."