<p>LEEDS, Ala. — Charles Barkley has given $1,000 apiece to the more than 200 employees of a city school system in his native Alabama. </p>
<p>The former Auburn and NBA basketball star graduated from Leeds High School in 1981. The monetary gifts are going to each Leeds City School system employee. </p>
<p>The announcement was made Tuesday <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LeedsCitySchools/">on Facebook</a>. The Leeds City Schools page says it’s the latest show of support from Barkley. According to the post, Barkley has provided more than $3 million in scholarships to Leeds graduates over the past 30 years.</p>
<p>“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 employee for going the extra mile this school year,” the Facebook post said. “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.”</p>
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<a href="https://www.al.com/news/2021/05/charles-barkley-donates-1000-to-each-leeds-schools-employee.html">AL.com reports</a> that there are about 226 Leeds school system employees. </p>
<p>The school system says Barkley also is a supporter of girls and boys basketball programs in Leeds, and that he has helped the system get laptops and hotspots for virtual learners during the pandemic.</p>
