Charles Barkley Gives $1K To 226 Employees At His High School Alma Mater

Charles Barkley has once again stepped up for the Leeds (AL) school system where he grew up, became the school's most famous graduate and is now able to give back to his community. This time it's in the form of $1,000 checks to Leeds school system employees -- 226 in all -- who are nearing the end of the year and will now have a little extra money to spend on whatever they wish.

"We are humbled and wish to express our sincere gratitude to Charles Barkley for providing a $1,000 gift to each and every Leeds City Schools employees for going the extra mile this school year. Being a school employee is tough, but driving a bus, teaching, coaching, or working in the cafeteria, all while maintaining safety protocols, has been a daunting task during a worldwide pandemic," Leeds City Schools Superintendent John Moore wrote on Facebook.

"Although it's been challenging, the Leeds staff has persevered and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are beyond thankful to know our hometown hero and benefactor, Charles Barkley, recognizes the hard work and dedication of the Leeds staff, even under the toughest of circumstances. Thank you, Charles!"

Superintendent Moore noted that Barkley has quietly gone about his donations to the school system that have been substantial over the years. Moore estimates Barkley has given over $3 million in scholarships to Leeds graduates and stepped up for the school during COVID when he provided laptops, WiFi hotspots and worked with Clorox to get the school systems cleaned up.

In true Barkley fashion, the 'Round Mound of Rebound' isn't making this about him. Charles decided he wanted to put some money into the hands of school system employees and that's that. In late 2020, Barkley donated $1 million to Tuskegee University, the fifth big donation he's made to an HBCU over the years.

“It’s just a long plan I’ve got to just keep giving back,” Barkley told AL.com. “I’ve been so lucky and blessed in my life, I just really want to keep doing good with all the blessings I have.”

Barkley, 58, has had an interesting 12 months or so that have included massive donations and a speech on Republicans and Democrats trying to "divide and conquer" citizens of this country.

“I think most white people and black people are great people. I really believe that in my heart,” Barkley said during a Final Four broadcast. “But I think our system is set up where our politicians, whether they are Republicans or Democrats, are designed to make us not like each other so they can keep their grasp of money and power. They divide and conquer.

“We don’t live in their neighborhoods. Let’s make whites and blacks not like each other. Let’s make the rich and poor not like each other. Let’s scramble the middle class.

“I truly believe that in my heart,” Barkley said.

And with that, Charles Barkley continues on his donation spree to blacks, whites, and any others whom Chuck deems to need a little pick me up.