Lebron James Family Foundation & I Promise School Rehab Balch St Community Center

It was a festive beginning to the Holiday break for students at Lebron James I Promise school. They were celebrating not only the Christmas holiday but the opening of their brand new gymnasium. The Lebron James Family Foundation in partnership with the City Of Akron & the 2k Foundation teamed up to renovate the Balch st community center gymnasium. Balch st, a city owned gym and community center is one of many gyms Lebron grew up playing in as a child.

"It's very exciting, we definitely could not have imagined that this gym would look as good as it does. We spent alot of days and nights here. Lebron shot a lot of hoops at these baskets...it's amazing, absolutely amazing."

Gloria James said as she spoke to the children at a ceremony celebrating the opening. The gym had for awhile been in disrepair. The City had taken some steps to make improvements, getting the roof fixed, paint and other things, but when the I promise school stepped in, it was like icing on the cake. The current building that the I promise school is housed in not too far from Balch st does not have a gymnasium so the school though it'd be a great idea to partner up with the city. It's a great fit for all sides, further entrenching the I Promise school into the community that it's so dedicated to helping. The foundation pledged full scholarships to the University of Akron for kids who are a apart of the Foundation's I promise program. More than $40 million dollars has been donated so far. As for the new gym. Students got a special surprise to go along with the celebration. Each student recieved a basketball, and a thank you From Ms. James for performing so well during the school year.

"I want to wish you all a happy holiday break, and that's also well deserved because we hear that you're are working very hard at school...we're very proud of you".

Pushing limits and breaking boundaries. The city of Akron couldn't be prouder of the things happening right now.