An Oklahoma mother is honoring her late son by donating thousands of basketballs to children across the state. The effort, which began as a tribute to Stone Hiddleston, who died of a fentanyl overdose, has provided over 5,000 basketballs to kids in Oklahoma.

A Tribute to Stone

Stone’s mother encouraged neighbors to decorate with basketballs during the Thunder’s playoff run, and the initiative grew from there. The basketballs, which are marked with the words ‘Love, Stone,’ are being distributed by Cleats 4 Kids, a organization that aims to provide athletic equipment to children in need.

The donation is not only about providing basketballs, but also about raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. ‘We really hope kids will stop and ask, like, ‘Hey, what does “Love, Stone” mean?’ and understand how dangerous fentanyl is,’ said Stacy McDaniel, executive director of Cleats 4 Kids.

Many of the basketballs are headed to Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation, where they will be used in gyms and outdoor courts. ‘You’d be amazed at how many kids don’t have their own basketball,’ said Natasha Braxton, field operations supervisor for Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation.

The effort has brought joy to children across Oklahoma, and has also sparked important conversations about the dangers of fentanyl. As one 8-year-old boy, Chosen, said, ‘I’ve never had basketballs like these before.’ The donation is a testament to the power of community and the impact that one person can have on the lives of others.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.