In 2000, Dikembe Mutombo of the Atlanta Hawks became one of 20 people to win the President’s Service Award. The award is the most prestigious national recognition given for volunteer community service directed at solving the country’s critical social problems. Mutombo was recognized for founding the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation which supports people in his home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo. His donation of $3 million helped create a 300-bed hospital in the country’s capital and provide vaccines to 10 million children under the age of five.
Today in Sports History: June 13
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 9: Dikembe Mutombo #55 of the Atlanta Hawks talks with players during the 1997 All-Star Game on February 9, 1997 at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)