Basketball Star Establishes Foundation to Aid Earthquake Survivors

Yao Ming, a player with the Houston Rockets basketball team, is giving $2-million to establish a foundation that will rebuild schools destroyed by last month’s earthquake in his native China, reports the Associated Press.

The Yao Ming foundation will help raise money to build earthquake-resistant schools in China, said Mr. Ming. He said some of the money given to his foundation by U.S. charities would also go to school-building efforts in the United States.

Mr. Ming is establishing the foundation with help from the Giving Back Fund, a Los Angeles organization that helps athletes, entertainers, and other celebrities manage their philanthropy.

Daryl Morey, general manager of the Houston Rockets, said the team plans to donate $100,000 to Mr. Ming’s foundation.