The Bill Walton Foundation launched today with a $32,000 donation from Mick Cronin, Tommy Lloyd, Mark Few and Matt Painter, the four head coaches participating in the Hall of Fame Series honoring Bill Walton, as well as a 3-for-1 matching challenge made possible by two of Bill’s longtime close friends, Adam Cheyer and Pat Kilkenny.
The shared $32,000 donation – $8,000 from each coach – is a tribute to Bill’s iconic No. 32.
The gifts will seed the Foundation’s
providing college scholarships for young people overcoming homelessness in each of the four cities where Bill played basketball:
If fans collectively contribute $32,000, Adam Cheyer and Pat Kilkenny will each contribute another $32,000. Combined with the coaches’ $32,000 gift, the Shine On Scholarship will launch with $128,000 to help young people overcoming homelessness pursue a college education.
That means a $32 gift in honor of Bill’s iconic No. 32 becomes $128 for young people.
The scholarships will be awarded in partnership with the Lucky Duck Foundation, an organization Bill passionately supported since its founding in 2005.
“Bill believed deeply in the power of people to lift one another up, and he had a special place in his heart for young people who needed someone to believe in them,” said Lori Walton, Bill’s wife and Chair of the Bill Walton Foundation. “I can’t think of a more fitting way to honor Bill than to help these young people overcome homelessness, pursue a college education and have the opportunity to shine on.”
“Bill Walton represented so much more than basketball. He lived with incredible joy, generosity and a genuine desire to lift others up,” said Mick Cronin, UCLA Men’s Basketball Head Coach. “On behalf of the head coaches participating in the Hall of Fame Series, we’re honored to help launch the Shine On Scholarship and excited to perpetuate Bill’s legacy by creating opportunities for young people overcoming homelessness in the communities Bill loved.”
