ERIC KIMBLE
EVERYDAY HEROES | The Herald-News / TheHerald-News.com • Sunday, September 9, 2018
“He teaches them versus just trying to win. He goes through the fundamentals of the sport for Eric Kimble grew up on the south side of Chica- the first years and then works on the skills as go, where some children did not have positive adult they get older,” Sean said. Interial said this past role models to teach them year, Kimble paid for his about sports, careers and entire basketball team to life. Twenty years later, Kimble said God put it on play in the YMCA summer basketball league, him to do something in which runs $50 a kid or his own community. $550 for the entire team. The year 2014 was a “He likes giving back big one for Kimble, now and wants to watch the of Plainfield, as he began kids develop their skills,” to volunteer at the C.W. Avery YMCA and started Interial said. When Kimble realized a nonprofit called the Focus, Extraordinary, Ex- the high costs of youth sports, he wanted to find a cellent and Goals Group. way for children to afford The group’s mission is to to play, so in 2014, he provide comfort and help for the elderly and mento- founded the FEEG Group. ring programs for youths He began sports camps for while focusing on goals, a children to attend free of charge, and the first year, spiritual life, higher education and healthy living. he had 30 participants. Kimble knows sports He said God put it on will do much more for his heart to work with kids while he still lived on a child than teach them how to dribble a ball. Life the south side as he was lessons and mentorship involved with Big Brothgo hand-in-hand with ers Big Sisters, acted as sports. a lunch monitor and was “They (sports) teach active in his church youth choir and youth ministry. how to dream, fulfill goals and get kids off of C.W. Avery YMCA video games. Kids don’t youth and adult sports get outside anymore; they manager Chris Interial need to get outside and said Kimble began to make friends and play coach basketball with the grade school kids and sports,” Kimble said. “I want to capture their made his way to high imagination, give them school as he followed his son through the ranks. He direction and focus on said the YMCA programs something positive so thrive on volunteers as 90 they can do something percent of the teams were extraordinary to conquer their dreams.” volunteer-coached. Community service “Our programs would remains important to not run without volKimble, as he recognizes unteers,” Interial said. everyone at some point “Eric is an intense guy needs help. and very passionate. He “The community needs is a player’s coach, the to help each other to be kids love having him. He safe and successful. If you doesn’t sugar coat anydon’t do your part, the thing and gives the kids community will fall short. constructive criticism. I’m glad I figured it out, Kids request to have him so I do what I can whether as a coach.” it’s taking a kid to school, Sean Williams has buying a kid shoes or two sons, Ian and Seth coaching basketball,” Williams, who only want Kimble said. to play for Kimble.
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By ALLISON SELK
Shaw Media correspondent
Eric Ginnard – eginnard@shawmedia.com