Rashard Lewis Makes the Most of His Time Off by Helping a Local Charity

HOUSTON - March 5, 2015 - PRLog -- Houston, TX – Rashard Lewis knows basketball.  The NBA Champion and two-time NBA all-star is currently 9^th on the NBA all-time career 3-point leader list.  And this is includes sitting out the 2014-2015 season due to knee surgery.  While he works to get back to the NBA, Lewis found a way to put all that skill to work for a good cause.  Lewis recently helped a local charity launch Put Up A Prayer (http://www.putupaprayer.com), a national NBA-style 3-point contest open to anyone in the U.S.

"If you think you can beat me, I will give away $10,000 to the winner.  So get out there, shoot some 3s, and challenge your friends," Lewis said to launch the event.

In spite of all the time and hard work needed to get back into NBA form, Lewis found time for this important competition.  Proceeds help a local charity offer a new marriage program, The Choice Wine, to churches across the country at no cost.  A family man himself, Lewis found this opportunity too good to pass up.

“Life is more than basketball.  My family is everything to me,” said Lewis in his video challenging the nation.

Lewis learned about the program from his former Elsik High School teammate, Mark Hartfiel.  So impressed was Hartfiel with the program, he initially challenged Lewis to get involved.

“I’m donating $100 to a ministry dedicated to helping families find joy.  It’s personally helped me become a better husband and a better father,” said Hartfiel.  “I challenge two-time all star, NBA champion, and my former high school teammate Rashard Lewis to a 3-point shoot out.  Get ready…I’m coming for you!”

Not only did Lewis accept Hartfiel’s challenge, but he raised the stakes as well. “I accept the 3-point challenge from Mark Hartfiel, but I want to up the ante.  I challenge the country to a 3-point competition.”  Lewis donated his time to help create the challenge video to launch Put Up A Prayer.  He also supports the competition through social media and his own network.  And he will face off against the top 8 contestants from each of the Open Division and the Junior Division this summer in an NBA-style three-point competition.

Anyone in the U.S. can participate in Put Up A Prayer.  Players register on the website – www.putupaprayer.com, create their profile page, seek sponsors for every shot attempt, and head to the gym to shoot some 3’s.  The top 8 Players and their Team Captains from both categories receive an all-expenses paid trip to face off against Lewis in the finals.  Proceeds make The Choice Wine, a new marriage program by Paradisus Dei, available to churches across the country at no cost.  Paradisus Dei is the sponsor of Put Up A Prayer.

About Paradisus Dei:  Founded in 2001, Paradisus Dei helps families discover the superabundance of God within marriage and family life.  Current programming serves couples, men and youth in 41 states and five countries. Integrating the teachings of the faith with findings of modern science and the wisdom of the saints, these programs have been independently verified to be profoundly life transforming.  Our goal is to encounter people wherever they are on their spiritual journey and help take them further.  Paradisus Dei is an independent, lay Catholic ministry dedicated to marriage and family life. For more information, please visit www.paradisusdei.org.