Pro ball player from Bolivar gives back to kids for Christmas
BOLIVAR, Tenn. — A hometown hero traveled 5,000 miles to get back to West Tennessee — not only to see his family for the holidays but to help local kids have a merry Christmas. Willie Kemp hosted his second annual toy drive Tuesday, collecting gifts to give away. He has to head back to Poland on Christmas day but said he wanted to be here to hand deliver the presents. “It’s always great to come back home,” Kemp said. Kemp is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Trefl Sopot of the Polish Basketball League. “Hopefully this thing can grow and I can bless many more families in the future,” Kemp said. Kemp started the toy drive last year, collecting presents for three kids. This year he said three families were chosen. “I always grew up wanting to help people out,” Kemp said. “From growing up, I always knew it was better to give than to receive.” Bolivar City Councilman Julian McTizic went to high school with Kemp and dropped off toys to show support. “It’s a lot of us that leave, go off and a lot of times our city of Bolivar and Hardeman County, we don’t get to reap the benefits of having people here that grew up here,” McTizic said. Hardeman County Clerk Jerry Armstrong said his son grew up playing basketball with Kemp and is happy to see him back in town. “I think it’s great. I know Willie had a hard time growing up, and it’s great that he’s sharing with other kids,” Armstrong said. Kemp said while the presents are important, his main focus is to serve as a role model for youth in the community. “To give back and to let the kids know there is a right and there is a wrong, and to have them to look up to someone,” Kemp said. Kemp said he hopes with the help from his town the toy drive will continue to grow. “Whatever we can do, because everybody doesn’t get to have a big Christmas, so I think every little bit helps,” he said. Kemp said while he can’t stay for Christmas, this short visit is worth it. “I traveled halfway across the world just to come back for this toy drive and also meet the families.”
