Temple students give back to North Philadelphia school kids

NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Students at Duckrey Tanner School in North Philadelphia shot hoops on goals with new backboards, rims and nets on Friday.

The basketball court's face-lift is courtesy of neighbor Nick Aninsman, a junior at Temple University who saw nothing but bent and hanging rims and nets torn or missing completely - the sad result of vandalism and neglect.

"They don't really have a lot. They don't even have places to play basketball," said nick Aninsman. "Having this will give these kids somewhere to go."

Anisman says he saw the same situation all over North Philadelphia, and he decided to act. Through a GoFundMe page, he raised $253 to put up the new equipment on four goals on the Duckrey playground.

Joining the celebration was members of Temple's basketball team, who played with exuberant school children and passed along great advice about their future - because they can relate.

"I was once in their shoes about 10, maybe 12 years ago, so I understand what it takes to get where I'm at," said Dan Dingle, Temple basketball player. "Just having fun out here, and just seeing the joy in these kids' face is remarkable."

School officials are thrilled by the visits, and the new gear.

"They came from the same community and neighborhood that we came from so they can relate to the kids when we were their age," Danita Bates, community liaison. "They just told them to dream big."

Aninsman has three more semesters to go before getting his bachelor's degree in special education. He hopes between now and then to put up new nets and rims at playgrounds all across North Philadelphia.

He has now raised more than $1,700 to pursue his goals proving from small acts of positive citizen activity, big movements can development.