Posted on 08/06/2007 5:14:59 PM PDT by Shermy
(CBS 3) SPRINGFIELD, Pa. Five NBA referees from the Delaware Valley held a mini-camp for mentally challenged students at the Don Guanella School in Springfield, Delaware County Monday.
"Timmy Donaghy and Duke Callahan called me up and they said they wanted to give something back to the community," said Bob Neely of the Don Guanella School.
The camp was co-founded by Tim Donaghy in 1997. Donaghy, a former NBA ref, is now at the center of an F.B.I. gambling investigation following allegations he bet on NBA games and called fouls to impact point spreads.
Though Donaghy was not be present at Monday's camp session, the refs honored their commitment to make an appearance.
"When you come to the door and you sit there and they all come up to you and hug you, they look forward to it. They bring sunshine into our lives," said NBA Referee Steve Javie. "If you walked into a place and kids just jumped up and down and smiled at you just for you being there, you have to sit there and say, 'wow, the world is really OK.' You know, and all the problems just go away."
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