Former Miami Heat basketball player Shane Battier is noted to be one of the best lock down defenders in NBA history, but he shocked the audience as he came out dancing smooth like Michael Jackson in thriller for his charity event.
Shane and his wife had hosted the South Beach Battioke in Miami, Florida. This event brought a lot of attention with raising money to the Battier Take Charge Foundation. This foundation was put in store to help underprivileged children in the Miami, Houston and Detroit area. The Battier Take Charge Foundation is a non-profit organization established by Shane and his wife, Heidi. This year’s event raised more than $200,000, which will go towards funding college scholarships for underprivileged youth in the South Florida community.
Shane’s foundation has been teaming up with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Miami. “We are looking to change the fortunes of first-generation college goers and their journey toward success,” Battier says. “We believe in opportunity. There are so many people in the world who can do so many positive things, change the world, and all they need is an opportunity to make it happen.”
Later on at the event everybody got to see Shane and other players in the Miami organization have fun with singing and dancing to Karaoke. “The beauty of this event is that it’s completely organic. It’s not contrived at all. It really is like going to a karaoke bar,” Shane says. “When people first get there, everyone’s a little shy, but by the end of the night they’re fighting over the mike.”
The event was proof that you could help people as well as have fun doing something you genuinely love to do. Even though Shane was baiting for Kobe Bryant to come out their and battle him in karaoke. “I wonder if he’ll get the memo to come out to Battioke,” Battier says with a laugh. “I’ve had a lot of battles with Kobe Bryant and he has been my foil throughout my career.”
Heat Owner Mickey Arison, as well as Miami Heat players’ Hassan Whiteside and Josh McRoberts attended the event. Notable celebrity attendees also included Miami Dolphins’ Cornerback Brent Grimes, Cincinnati Bengals’ Offensive Tackle Eric Winston, Victoria Rafael from CBS’ Big Brother 16, and Actor Geoff Stults, best known for his portrayal as Ben from 7th Heaven was also in attendance.
At the end of the night Battier shared how much he was grateful for the community to be helping out the foundation as well as the children who were involved in it. “We are proud that we have been able to engage our community and send brilliant young minds to colleges and universities through the fundraising efforts of South Beach Battioke,” said Shane “I am extremely thankful to the Heat organization and everyone that supports us including my former teammates that come out and sang karaoke for charity and a good cause.”
