FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (8/20/14) – Former Titan standout and current NBA star Ray McCallum is partnering with World Vision to distribute 400 backpacks filled with school supplies to members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (B&GCSM) this Friday, August 22 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the organization's NFL/YET Club - Dick & Sandy Dauch Campus.
 
A presentation of the backpacks will be at 4:00 p.m. and will include comments from the 2013 All-American. Members of the McCallum family will also be in attendance, including his father, Ray McCallum, who is current head coach of the men's basketball team at University of Detroit Mercy. The event will also include a carnival for 400 Club members with field games, inflatable giant slide & obstacle course, a picnic lunch, arts & crafts and DJ. Additional sponsors for the event include: Sacramento Kings Foundation, The McCallum Family, Ernst & Young, John Cash State Farm Agency and Chrysler Group, LLC. 
 
The mission of the giveaway is to provide students in the city of Detroit with backpacks full of school supplies before they start the new school year. McCallum's goal is to equip elementary school students with the educational tools they need to succeed. As McCallum states, "This is a great opportunity to give back to the community that has been good to me. I'm happy to give these kids the tools to be successful in the classroom as they start off the next academic year." 
 
As Len Krichko, President & CEO of B&GCSM notes, "We're thrilled that Ray McCallum has selected our organization as a partner for this exciting and generous initiative!  In southeastern Michigan, there are countless families that continue to struggle in their daily efforts to provide their children with the basic essentials. Through this partnership, we will be relieving some of that stress for our parents as they prepare their children for the new school year." Krichko adds that the majority of children B&GCSM serves each year are considered low-income." 
 
About McCallum
Widely recognized for his athleticism, Ray McCallum is a point guard who was selected to the Sacramento Kings as the 36th pick in the 2013 NBA draft. He graduated high school from Detroit Country Day School then attended the University of Detroit Mercy. Though McCallum has achieved numerous athletic and academic awards, he is passionate about community service and has taken an active role in giving back. McCallum understands the importance of education and hard work and has set high standards to be a leader in the community. 
 
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
Established in 1926, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan is a nonprofit youth development organization serving 15,000 youth annually at 10 Clubs located in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties. Boys & Girls Clubs represent a safe place where youth ages 6-18 (grades 1-12) can spend their after-school hours and be engaged in supervised, structured activities that keep them out of trouble and on the path toward a successful adulthood.  Clubs are open five days a week throughout the school year.  To learn more about the ways in which B&GCSM helps children and families in need, please visit our website at www.bgcsm.org or call our administrative office at 248-473-1400.
 
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.