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Philanthropic Hero Biography
William Shelton III
Washington, D.C.
William Shelton is the Coordinator of Community Relations
at Brookland Manor, an assisted housing complex for people of all ages in
northeast Washington, D.C. A believer in getting things done, he not only helps
those he works with in a professional capacity, he reaches out to help others
in a personal capacity. Professionally, he has been a key player in opening a
health resource center in the Brookland Manor Community that provides
information, screening, and some testing to local residents. Personally, he has
worked to help local children realize their dreams of college by helping them
fill out financial aid forms and paying out of pocket for their transportation
expenses. Mr. Shelton has been known to personally pay a young person's
train, bus or airfare to university.
To show his further determination to help young people,
William not only gave $500 to KaBoom!, a local nonprofit that builds
playgrounds, he convinced Black Entertainment Television to make a $5,000 gift.
“I wanted to see every child in this neighborhood have a place where they
could just be a child. A playground, even though it's a small step, is a
step that will at least mobilize this community.'”
Mr. Shelton says he's fortunate. He and his brother
were raised by their mother, a single parent who “struggled for us and
always taught us to help others.” Bill says that his goal is to help
people realize that everyone can use the resources they have to help others.
“Just do a bit more than you normally would and you'll see how much
you become part of a community.” |
