Jul 28

Jul 28 NBA All-Star and Kinston native Brandon Ingram donates to every employee at UNC Lenoir Health Care

A gift of 982 pairs of Adidas sneakers to every employee of UNC Lenoir Health Care was provided by Brandon Ingram and the Ingram Family Foundation.

“I have been told of the basketball legends that come from this area, but this kind of gift to our hospital and its employees lets me know exactly how connected our community is with sports giants,” said Robert Enders, CEO of UNC Lenoir Health Care.

Brandon Xavier Ingram, a Kinston High graduate, is a professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

“Brandon and the entire Ingram family believe in giving back to the community and our local hospital means so much to us, and never more than at this critical time,” said Donald Ingram, Brandon’s father, and director of the Ingram Family Foundation.

The gift of shoes wasn’t the first time Brandon Ingram and the Ingram Foundation have helped their community. In the past, Ingram has held back-to-school drives which provided hundreds of locals with supplies for school.

“The team at Lenoir has stepped up to the challenge in dealing with a pandemic. In addition to the excellent medical care they provide, our team members are also meeting the emotional needs of the patients they are caring for. The team at Lenoir is honored to be recognized and so appreciate this extravagant gift,” said Enders.

UNC Lenoir is licensed for 261 beds, is a nonprofit organization serving the Lenoir County area with acute, outpatient, and community health services. UNC Lenoir had their first COVID case in March and was quick to put their action plans in place provide necessary services for residents who contract the virus.

“The only that’s getting a little bit in short supply is the testing supplies again. That is becoming a bit of a shortage,” said Enders.