Jackson Free Press

Volunteering and community service have been big parts of Eddie Young's life. He has been giving of himself since he first started volunteering 14 years ago at the YMCA on the corner of Farish Street, while he was attending college at Jackson State University.

Born and raised in Natchez, Young, 33, went on to work with the late former Mayor Frank Melton, participating in food drives and community clean up projects in early 2000.

"I developed a passion for helping kids and the community," Young said. "I think some of my passion also stemmed from being an education major at Jackson State."

In 2002, Young started coaching the Mississippi Lady Bobcats, a girls U-15 AAU basketball team. He coached the Lady Bobcats from 2002 to 2009 and helped 40 girls get athletic or academic scholarships during that time. Young is extremely proud of his 2009 squad—15 of the players went on to play college basketball, including several who made it onto Division I teams.

After the 2009 season, Young moved on to coaching a boys AAU team called the Mississippi Bobcats from 4th to 11th grade, which he still coaches today.

Young and his partner Jerry Fort began Proud Leaders of America's Youth, or P.L.A.Y. Sports, in April 2012. The nonprofit organization uses basketball to engage with kids and help them reach college so that they can later help strengthen their communities. Fort, 44, is a Jackson resident and an alumnus of Jackson State University and the Mississippi College School of Law.

Kids in P.L.A.Y. go to tutor sessions and must participate in one community service project a month in order to play basketball. They also get exposure to and learn more about elite camps and requirements for college admission.

P.L.A.Y. puts on several events throughout the year, such as the Soul-Town Showdown—which features top AAU teams from Alabama and Mississippi—and drumline challenges for local schools.

"This is our ministry and shared vision, and we are extremely proud of the work we have done," Young said. "It is our goal to get kids college ready and get kids into college."

This Saturday, May 17, is the 2014 P.L.A.Y. Free Throw Contest at the Sunnybrook Children's Home. The contest is free and open to boys and girls from 3rd to 8th grade. Young will be at North Park Mall Center Court for mandatory registration from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. All attendees must register before the event, as there will be no day-of registration. An adult must accompany all players.

The event is open to the public; attendees must pay $5 at the door. For more information on P.L.A.Y. Sports visit www.msbobcats.com.

Eddie Young and his wife Kimberly Young have been married for eight years and have four children.