James Donaldson: From Basketball to Community Advocate. A Lifetime Journey.

02/23/22 • 61 min

James Donaldson is our guest for this episode.

James was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979 after a 4 year career at Washington State University. James played 20 years in professional Basketball.

After retiring James has been a successful business owner, tireless volunteer, and much more. During our conversation James shares stories from his time in the NBA, and from his in volunteer work across Washington State.

After a major health setback James dealt with significant depression and had thoughts of suicide. He was able to recover by building a team around him to help provide structure and support. James was able to draw from his sports career and saw the power in teamwork. After months of hard work James was able to realize it was better to hang in there.

James has created a non-profit foundation Your Gift of Life Foundation that is a voice to an advocate and voice for mental health and suicide prevention. The foundations objectives are.

To Raise Awareness About Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
To Raise Money to Contribute to Like-Minded and Like-Hearted Efforts
To Provide Scholarships to Students of Color and International Students Going Into the Mental Health Field. And also for continuing education purposes as well.
To Have James on an Ongoing Basis, Speaking About Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Issues.

Find out more about James Donaldson and his journey is this episode. James is an inspiring storyteller and truly passionate about helping the less fortunate in Washington State and beyond.

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James Donaldson is our guest for this episode.

James was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979 after a 4 year career at Washington State University. James played 20 years in professional Basketball.

James has created a non-profit foundation Your Gift of Life Foundation that is a voice to an advocate and voice for mental health and suicide prevention. The foundations objectives are.

To Raise Awareness About Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
To Raise Money to Contribute to Like-Minded and Like-Hearted Efforts
To Provide Scholarships to Students of Color and International Students Going Into the Mental Health Field. And also for continuing education purposes as well.
To Have James on an Ongoing Basis, Speaking About Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Issues.

Find out more about James Donaldson and his journey is this episode. James is an inspiring storyteller and truly passionate about helping the less fortunate in Washington State and beyond.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more amazing listeners just like you!

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ExploringWash)

Previous Episode

Amanda Milholland: Jefferson County Farmers Markets Serving The Communities of Chimacum and Port Townsend.

Amanda Milholland is our guest on this episode.

Amanda is the Market Manager/Director of the Jefferson County Farmers Markets. Jefferson County has two farmers markets one in Port Townsend and one in Chimacum.

The Port Townsend farmer market is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Amanda shares with us that some of the vendors have been at the market for 30 years. Talk about longevity. We find out some of the ways the Port Townsend Farmers Market has grown over the course of the past 30 years. Currently the hours of operation for the Port Townsend market are Saturdays APRIL 2-DECEMBER 17, 9AM TO 2PM. The market is located at 650 Tyler Street, from Tyler and Lawrence Streets to Tyler and Clay Streets.

The Chimacum Farmers Market was first started in 2008. Currently the market is in operation Sundays, June-October from 10 am to 2 pm. The market is located within walking distance of the actual farms of some of the vendors. You will be so close to the source of your food you can walk to the farm from the market! The market is located at 9122 Rhody Drive, Chimacum WA. This is the only four way stop in Chimacum so it is super easy to find.

During our conversation we chat about the distinct personalities of the two markets and how they both serve their communities. Amanda explains how the markets provide services to help their neighbors in need by accepting EBT, WIC and providing matching funds to help make the funds go farther.

We learn about the BIPOC Start-Up Business Fund. The fund is intended to help reduce some of the barriers that may impact the inclusion of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in their markets. Through the fund, JCFM provides small grants to new BIPOC-owned farmers market businesses to support them during their first market season in acquiring some of the materials and permits needed for market participation.

We hope you enjoy this conversation about Farmers Markets and how they contribute to the fabric of the local community. Amanda was a wonderful guest and we learned a lot from her. You will find other farmers market episode coming soon. If you have a recommendation of a farmers market we should interview please let us know.

Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more amazing listeners just like you!

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ExploringWash)

Next Episode

Lewis Rudd: Ezell's Famous Chicken

Lewis Rudd cofounder of Ezell's Famous Chicken is our guest for this episode.

Ezell's Famous Chicken opened their first location in February 1984. 38 years later there are 18 locations in Washington and Oregon. Serving always fresh top quality chicken and their famous sides and desserts made fresh daily in each location.

Lewis shares stories about how Ezell's was started with one location across the street from Garfield High School in Seattle. We hear about how The Seattle Seahawks and the SuperSonics both had Ezell's Chicken as their box lunches when they were traveling to their next away game.

Oprah Winfrey said that Ezell's chicken was her favorite. Lewis tells the story of how Oprah found out about Ezell's and how they travelled to Chicago to make her favorite food for her birthday.

We hear how Ezell's gives back to the community. Giving back is a core value to the company. During the pandemic Ezell's delivered over 5,000 meals to front line health workers. With Rudd's R.U.B.B. Initiative (Raising Up Black Businesses) 20 Black owned businesses will receive no strings attached business grants.

We had a great time chatting with Lewis Rudd and we know you will enjoy hearing him share stories about the last 38 years of serving Seattle and beyond,

Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more amazing listeners just like you!

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ExploringWash)