Actor and comedian Kevin Hart, who grew up in Philadelphia visited a number of schools Friday and donated hundreds of computers to various classrooms and recreation centers that have been hit hard by district budget cuts.
Hart says the idea came from a conversation he had with Mayor Michael nutter on the July 4th at the 6abc Wawa Welcome America celebration.
He says when he found out how bad the situation is for the Philadelphia our school system, he knew he had to come home and help out.
"I am here to show you guys that your dreams can become a reality," Hart told one group of students.
Kevin Hart, who is originally from North Philadelphia, was back inside the classrooms of the school system that raised him.
The actor and comedian donated 500 computers to the city's financially struggling school district and the Department of Parks and Recreation.
"I found out about the situation with the schools and how bad it was with the school district of Philadelphia and some schools were in jeopardy of not even being able to open," said Hart.
He says beyond his financial boost, he wanted to give kids a moral one.
His first stop was the John F. Hartranft School in North Philadelphia, and then on to Allen M. Stearne Elementary School.
"Take this, run with it. Dream boy! Dream big!" Hart told the students.
Mayor Michael Nutter says Hart's contribution is one the city sorely needed.
"Clearly there are still many, many needs and challenges, and we don't have all of the resources that are necessary for a high quality education," said Mayor Nutter.
Hart says being back in school brings back memories.
"First of all, they brought me to the principal's office when I first got here which immediately took me back to bad memories," said Hart.
All jokes aside, the students were star struck and seriously grateful.
"Your contribution makes it possible for students like myself to do proper research and to expand our knowledge of the expanding world," said one student.
"He says we have to take care of the laptops or we are going to have a problem with him," said another student.
But from the heart, Hart says this donation is the first of many.
"I will be involved in building our public school system up and getting it back to a place where we can stick our chest out and say we are Philadelphia, and our school system is doing the right things," said Hart.
Hart says that he is happy that he is a place in his career where he can do something that can help.
