Charles Oakley kicks off community project with support from Entain

Former NBA All-Star Charles Oakley has kicked off his “Oak Out Hunger” community project in Los Angeles, supported by Entain’s US charity, among other non-profits.

The Entain Foundation US made good on its pledge to support Oakley’s efforts when it, alongside other organisations, supplied food and fun to football fans at Gladys Park, located in LA’s poverty-stricken Skid Row neighbourhood.  

Oakley, described in his charity’s statement as a “lifelong home cook”, remarked: “I come to Skid Row every year because of the community.

“It’s a community like no other, and these organisations we’re working with are second-to-none. As the world focuses on the Big Game, let’s not lose sight of struggling folks right here in our backyard.”

Entain joined forces with the ex-power forward’s charity, the Charles Oakley Foundation, in November 2021. Its sponsorship includes funding, some of which has been earmarked for responsible gambling education.

The Oak Out Hunger initiative will promote Gamble Responsibly America (GRA), a mobile app that educates users on safe gambling habits, as well as My Wager Score, an affordability tool designed to protect players’ financial wellbeing.

“We’re asking folks to bet smart and give back,” added Oakley. “My Wager Score is the future of sports betting because it creates financial safety for players and helps create positive impact.

“We want folks to see that they can take fair play into their own hands and be empowered by getting their score at MyWagerScore.com.”

Oakley’s campaign aims to provide impoverished families in many major US cities with meals and other social services.