Cut Off area has a friend in Hornets’ Peja

New Orleans Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic’s Children’s Foundation made a visit to Cut Off’s Sacred Heart Church Friday to distribute food and personal care items to 400 families across Lafourche Parish.

The organization teamed up with the international hunger relief foundation “Feed The Children” to make the distribution possible.

Families were predetermined, based on storm damage and income.

The forward, with the help of the International Orthodox Christian Charities and McGraw-Hill Company, donated textbooks to local schools in the area.

“I’ve been doing this for so many years,” Stojakivic said. “It means a lot to me and I feel blessed that I’m in a position to help others, especially right now during the holidays. It might not be much, but it’s something that will make the holidays better. It’s helping others and reaching out.”

As the 6-foot, 10-inch basketball star loaded food into residents’ vehicles, he was met with smiles … and cameras.

Stojakovic’s generosity has earned him fans from his days with the Sacremento Kings, Indiana Pacers and now, the Hornets.

He often returns to his native Serbia-Montenegro to help feed children. His Children’s Foundation has been reaching youngsters for six years.

“I’ve been involved in every community I have lived in,” he said. “I try to do whatever I can to help others and bring smiles to their faces.”

Stojakovic said the foundation began helping in the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The forward and TNT’s “Inside the NBA” analyst Kenny Smith sent two semi-trucks filled with donated supplies to the people of New Orleans. During the NBA All-Star weekend last year, they sent an additional 800 boxes of food to area residents.

Stojakovic said his life exemplifies the proverbial “rags-to-riches” story. “I know firsthand what it’s like to struggle,” he said. That was what led him to adopt New Orleans.

“At the same time we were rebuilding as a team, the entire city of New Orleans was rebuilding,” he said. “We needed each other and helped each other out. It’s safe to say it worked out for the best.”

New Orleans Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic and two volunteers help put food and personal care items into the back of a car. The NBA star donated the supplies in Cut Off Friday through his Children’s Foundation with the help of the Feed The Children campaign. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER