WNBA Heroes in the Community
Betty Lennox, Seattle Storm

She may be one of the smaller players in the WNBA, but that doesn't mean Betty Lennox can't come up big both on and off the court.

Betty Lennox won the Community Assist Award for June .
Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images
While starting all 34 games and averaging 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists as she helped lead the Storm to their third consecutive postseason, Lennox, a seven-year veteran, found time to assist the community by reaching out to neglected and abused children.

Last year, the 5-8 guard founded the Lennox Foundation 22. With her agents assistance, the former first round pick held many events, including basketball camps, to raise money for children in the Seattle area and in her hometown of Kansas City.

"My goal is to reach out to neglected and abused kids," Lennox said."I think it's very important for athletes to give back not just because they're celebrities but because there are just so many people out there who need their help. And athletes or celebrities are in situations where they are able to help."

It's important for all children to have role models and heroes to look up to, and that's exactly what Lennox is. As a child, the former WNBA All-Star had several family members, teachers and coaches guide her through life, which helped her become the successful person she is today.

"My Mom and my sisters were my heroes. I had teachers who motivated to keep me going and my college basketball coach motivated me to get on the right track."

Helping children is important to Lennox because she "will always be a kid at heart." She also feels that the Lennox Foundation 22 is her way of giving back to the communites that have helped her throughout her life.

"What inspired me is that this is very close to my heart and this is my way of giving back. And me being able to give back to the needy kids and the abused kids is just very special to me."

Earlier this year, Lennox won the Community Assist Award in June for making a difference in the community. For her charitable efforts, the 2004 Finals M.V.P. received a $5,000 dollar donation for the Lennox Foundation 22 which she will use toward future charityevents.

To make a donation to the Lennox Foundation 22 visit the official website at www.lennoxfoundation.org.