Damian Lillard
Philanthropy
Special Olympics
In 2013, Damian was recognized as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador at the Special Olympics and The Walt Disney Company/ESPN Partnership announcement in Bristol, Connecticut. During the 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston, TX, where Damian served as an honorary coach at the NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Sports basketball game, he was impressed with the Special Olympics Basketball players and reminisced about his College days volunteering with Special Olympics. Damian shared his reasons for teaming up with Special Olympics, “I realized how much of an impact I had on them and just how much they have the same abilities that we have. I’m happy to be a part of it and …to raise the awareness for people with intellectual disabilities.” Damian also supports Special Olympics annual Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign which is a national campaign to encourage people to be more political correct, when referring to those with disabilities.
Lillard began the RESPECT program six years ago, when he met with Portland high school administrators to identify schools that most needed a more positive culture among students. Through these conversations, he created a platform to encourage students to “Show Up: demonstrating respect for their parents and teachers; Work Hard: demonstrating respect for themselves and their futures; and Be Kind: demonstrating respect for others.”