NJ.com recently shared a story about Al “Big Al’” Szolack’s basketball camp which he will be hosting this summer. “Do Hugs Not Drugs” is a summer basketball camp for children which was inspired from Big Al’s drug problem.
Szolack is a former professional basketball player who was apart of the world-traveling team the Washington Generals. His team had a reputation for being “beat up on” by the Harlem Globetrotters, as well as being a losing team. In spite of being apart of a losing team, Szolack admits nothing made him feel like more of a loser than the seven years he spent addicted to cocaine, according to an interview with NJ.com.
“I was 27 years old. My mom had just died. I went to Florida and a friend said, ‘Here, try this. It’ll help you for a couple weeks,'”
Szolack shared in his interview. Szolack revealed that he had soon become addicted to cocaine and became a dealer, ultimately allowing cocaine to nearly ruin his life.
After developing a $1,000 a day habit, Szolack began to realize he was headed down a destructive path.
“I used to say I’m lucky to be alive, but God has plan,” said Szolack.
That plan prompted Szolack to create a summer basketball camp for children. For over a decade Szolack has held the “Do Hugs Not Drugs” basketball camp which teaches children the fundamentals of basketball in addition to educating them about the dangers of drugs.
Szolack says he is simply using his life lessons to show kids the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
“God has a plan I’m going to follow and do the best I can while I’m here, I’m trying to make the biggest difference I can,” Szolack shared.
Szolack’s camp has been a huge success over the years, this years “Do Hugs Not Drugs” basketball camp will be held this summer in New Jersey at Harrison Township Elementary School from July 27th to 31st and August 3rd to 7th.
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The post Big Al Szolack Is Encouraging Kids To Do Hugs Not Drugs appeared first on Harbor Village Florida.
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