LeBron provides major assist to his I PROMISE kids

Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing CPFoodBlog.com and @CPFoodBlog on Twitter.SANDUSKY — On Tuesday, the LeBron James Family Foundation hosted more than 7,000 of its I PROMISE students and their families at Cedar Point in Sandusky for its annual We Are Family Reunion.This event marks the foundation's sixth annual family reunion and the third straight at Cedar Point.Every student in the I PROMISE program was able to bring up to five family members to enjoy all-day access to rides and the new Cedar Point Shores water park; a provided lunch; and a special LeBron James Family Foundation presentation with the cast of the park's nighttime Luminosity show.Each year, this event celebrates the foundation welcoming a new class of third graders in need of additional academic support into its I PROMISE program, which now serves more than 1,200 Akron Public School students.LeBron James holds his daughter, Zhuri, while speaking to the crowd at the We Are Family Reunion on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, at Cedar Point in Sandusky. Usher, J.R. Smith and Jordin Sparks also made an appearance during the celebration.This year's incoming class will be among the first students to attend the proposed I PROMISE School, a new Akron public school designed in partnership with the foundation. Planned for 2018, the I PROMISE School is an expansion of Akron Public Schools' STEM curriculum with a problem-based learning focus infused with the foundation's "We Are Family" philosophy to create an innovative and supportive learning environment for its students and their families.The We Are Family reunion also coincides with the LeBron James Family Foundation's annual report that highlights the work and progress achieved in Akron during the last foundation academic year (Aug. 1, 2016 through July 30, 2017).A boy puts his hands in the air to have a beach ball tossed to him before the We Are Family Reunion celebration with LeBron James at Cedar Point on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017.Some of this year's highlights include:• James, his foundation team and its 23 community partners, 330 high school ambassadors and James' advisory board members donated more than 15,000 hours to assist in community outreach and academic interventions, which included monthly student experience outings, regular Hometown Hall meetings, foundation-hosted community service opportunities and everyday interactions with the students across all 39 Akron Public School education centers.• The foundation gave $16,000 in groceries to I PROMISE families; sent out more than 12,000 letters and phone calls of encouragement to its students; provided nearly 1,500 school uniforms and custom hoodies for its I PROMISE students to wear to school; rewarded 160 brand new team uniforms to teams that exemplified leadership and good sportsmanship; gave out 800 tickets to Cleveland Cavaliers games for hard working students; and distributed 215 brand new bicycles and helmets to incoming students to start them on their academic journey.• The foundation established the I PROMISE Institute at The University of Akron to provide around-the-clock resources for its I PROMISE students once they arrive on campus in 2021 to pursue their foundation-committed four-year college scholarships; funded LeBron's Hard Work Club in all Akron Public School buildings; and began planning for the I PROMISE School scheduled to open its doors in 2018.During the event, Jordin Sparks and Usher performed for the crowd. Additionally, J.R. Smith, James' teammate on the Cavs, also made an appearance.Usher performs during the We Are Family Reunion at Cedar Point in Sandusky on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. The LeBron James Family Foundation hosted more than 7,000 of its I PROMISE students and their families at the amusement park.[toutembed=uq88nx]Jordin Sparks reacts with excitement as LeBron James welcomes Usher to the stage during the annual We Are Family Reunion at Cedar Point on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, in Sandusky.LeBron James laughs as he leaves the stage holding his daughter, Zhuri, during the We Are Family Reunion at Cedar Point in Sandusky on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017.A family waits for the celebration to begin at Cedar Point in Sandusky on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017. The LeBron James Family Foundation hosted more than 7,000 of its I PROMISE students and their families at the amusement park.