Jeremy Lin Gives Up $100K Game Day Salary to Fund Girls' Education
Jeremy Lin is forfeiting one day's pay, which amounts to over $100,000, to fund education programs for girls worldwide.
Lin, the Brooklyn Nets point guard, is teaming up with the grassroots organization One Day's Wages, to donate his income from the Nets' upcoming game against the Boston Celtics on March 17. In addition to that donation, the 28-year-old NBA star is pledging to donate $100 for every 3-point shot he successfully makes this season.
The basketball star shared his motivation for taking part in the campaign, writing on the prepared statement on the One Day's Wages website: "I believe it's important to raise awareness about social justice issues that have been swept under the rug. This is why I'm coming alongside One Day's Wages, a movement to alleviate extreme global poverty, to do my part in raising awareness about the issues many girls face in pursuing their dreams. Millions of girls across the globe are unable to get the education they need to provide for themselves and their families. My hope is to shed some light on these issues, and invite you to join me in taking action."
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After citing "unaffordable school fees, forced child marriage and lack of sanitary products when they reach puberty," as reasons some girls are not able to pursue education, Lin also asked for people to donate $7 to the campaign.
"I hope you will join me in raising awareness about girl's empowerment," said Lin, who hopes to raise $200,000. "We can't do this work alone, it will take all of us together."
Lin has been an advocate of education for some time. Last year, he started a reading challenge in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools District through his nonprofit organization, The Jeremy Lin Foundation.
Students were given the opportunity to earn points by taking quizzes and reading articles written by Lin and others about combating bullying. The more students read, they earned points for their schools in a competition that resulted in a visit from the NBA player.
"The ultimate goal of the challenge is to raise awareness in ending school bullying, while encouraging students to read closely and deepen their reading comprehension," a description of the challenge that took place in Charlotte, North Carolina states.
