Houston native Justise Winslow helps Harvey victims in need.
HOUSTON NATIVE JUSTISE WINSLOW LENDS ASSISTANCE TO HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS
Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow always dreamed of becoming an NBA player.
Aside from the jumpshots and rebounds, however, he also envisioned being able to use his platform to help others. On Sunday, he participated in an event that was just as rewarding as the day he was drafted in the summer of 2015.
Winslow met with two Houston families he helped last year when they were in need during Hurricane Harvey. He donated cars in December and had his first encounter with them on the Heat’s day off before facing the Rockets on Monday night at Toyota Center.
“To be able to do this is a dream come true,” Winslow said. “I love the game but this is bigger than the game. This is family love. It’s great to be able to do something like this.”
It especially hit home for Winslow, a St. John’s School graduate, because he is a Houston native. The natural disaster killed more than 80 people and left many residents with their homes and valuables destroyed. Among those affected were mothers Nyesha Acheka and Lanesha Dabney, who both lost their vehicles.
They were chosen as the car recipients by Robin’s House Foundation, a charity Winslow started and named after his mother. Robin Winslow runs the organization in Houston while her son is handling his basketball responsibilities.
“Now, I know how people really feel in hurricanes, losing everything,” said Acheka, 39. “It is horrible. People say it’s just material stuff but it’s not just material stuff. You pretty much have to start all over.”
Winslow bought Acheka a white 2013 Hyundai so her and her 5-year-old daughter, Kellee, had transportation. It also helped Acheka tend to her health. In 2016, she was diagnosed with colon cancer and was having difficulty making treatment visits without a car.
“I’ve never gotten a gift from someone who I didn’t know,”
Achecka said. “It feels really valuable to me. To this day, I take the long way to take out the trash because I want to enjoy my car. I wish I could do something to show him how much we appreciate him but thank you is all we have right now.”
Because of Winslow, Dabney, 24, no longer has to rent a car on a weekly basis. A mother of two, she is the owner of a red 2015 Chevrolet Equinox and can now focus on finding a new apartment instead of having to worry about transportation. The storm destroyed her old home, forcing her to move in with her mother.
“It takes a huge burden off just to have transportation that’s paid for,” Dabney said. “It’s a huge blessing and I’m so thankful to him.”
Added Winslow, “Seeing them was surreal and kind of emotional for me. It’s something I wanted to do and they wanted to reach out and say thank you. It’s the people that continue to inspire me and give me hope that this city will get back.”
Even though they had their cars for more than a month, both families arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel with their presents wrapped in a bow and ribbon. They mingled with Winslow, with the children marveling at his height and asking questions about playing in the NBA.
“I don’t like to see people hurt, whether it’s people I know or friends or family,” Winslow said, speaking directly to the families. “It was just a gift from me and my family. … I just want thank you for your strength, you guys give me strength the way you persevere. A lot of times in my life I take things for granted.”
At some point, Winslow is hopeful his hometown makes a full recovery.
“This beautiful city was affected and still continues to be affected by the hurricane,” Winslow said. “Just anything I could do. My family was here more than I was, to be able to actually get on the ground and help. … I felt it in my heart to do it and give back to this city that’s given me so much. It’s a blessing to be in the position that I am to be able to help out.”