He called me right before Christmas and was talking of taking his life because he’s so tired of being taken advantage of, and people using him and he’s depressed and lonely
Help Former NBA Player, Joe Pace With Dental
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James Donaldson is organizing this fundraiser.
Greetings,
My name is James Donaldson, a former NBA basketball player, and a very good friend of Joe Pace, dating back to 1980 when we both played against each other in the Italian professional basketball leagues.
I’ve remained good friends with Joe over the decades, and, he just hasn’t been able to get “lady luck” to smile on him more often than not.
Joe has been homeless, suffered with drug addiction, alcoholism, depression, and even calling me recently with suicidal ideations.
Over the years, I’ve been right there for Joe as we both live in the Seattle area. I’ve helped him in setting up a bank account, depositing and cashing his government assistant checks, paying his utility bills and rent on a timely basis.
Joe only played two years in the NBA, and to be vested in the NBA retirement pension plan and medical coverage, you must play at least a minimum of three years in the NBA. He wasn’t fortunate enough to be able to obtain that.
If you look at the recent news video interview with him, it can better tell the story.
After this news interview aired back in November 2021, a “virtual stranger” came up to Joe, and told him that she was going to start a Go Fund Me campaign for him to raise money for his necessary and very expensive dental work that he needs desperately.
She raised over $3600, and then “deactivated” the account, and made off with the money. Joe has no way of getting a hold of her, and I sent her a message on Go Fund Me before her account was deleted. I doubt if I’ll ever hear from her, but we will see.
I ran a Go Fund Me account for Joe about five years ago, and was able to raise monies for his expenses and rent.
So, I spoke to Joe last week, and told him I would gladly get another campaign going for him.
Joe is a terrific guy, who has just fallen upon hard times, time after time. He’s smart, intelligent, knowledgeable about the world around him, but just can’t get a break. He came down with Covid back in September and spent almost one month in the hospital. He has underlying conditions such as diabetes, and the worsening case of arthritis in his back, hips and knees.
I love the man like he’s my own brother. And even though our journeys through life have been vastly different, we’ve become very good friends over the years and look out for each other.
Please contribute and donate to this campaign for Joe Pace. He doesn’t have a lot of people in his life he can trust, and he’s been used, taken advantage of more times than anybody deserves (that’s one of the many reasons he was thinking of taking his life) . I’m there for them, and I always will be.
Thank you so much for considering the support for my good friend, Joe Pace. As I did with helping him with his banking and making sure that his bills were paid, you can feel comfortable and confident that I will make sure all the money is gathered so that we have enough for his dental procedure in the next few months. And also, any money raised above our stated goal, will be used to make sure that all his bills and utilities are paid and current as well as his rent.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration,
James Donaldson
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James Donaldson
Organizer
Ellensburg, WA
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James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
[email protected]
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
