Since he first arrived in the NBA, Jason has been one of the most involved, community-oriented players in the league. The following two stories are just a small sampling of the work that Jason has performed, but in both, his generosity, humility and dedication to helping others are evident.

West Dallas Community School

In only his second year in the NBA, Jason literally took a Dallas school under his wing. As he explained to CNN reporter Cassandra Wilson, becoming involved wasn't a choice.

Everywhere I go when I talk to students or kids, elementary or high school, people are surprised that I want to become a teacher and I really want to focus on history. There's no reason why you can't raise your hand and ask for help. You shouldn't be scared or afraid to ask you teacher for help.

It's something you always dreamed about and people would always say it couldn't happen and to see it happening, to prove the people wrong because they felt that it couldn't happen.

In an area known for drugs, gunshot victims and high school dropouts, Jason saw that he could make a change.

What's lacking is just, I think, self confidence. I think that's probably the biggest problem in any community where there is something that's going wrong is that maybe a teacher or a parent hasn't extended their hand far enough.

Jason gave $50,000 to the school's community center, and made regular appearances at the school, befriending students, trying to help them turn their lives around.

If I can keep the kids from doing something negative and keep them doing something positive, then I've reached one. I feel that I want to be the best person that I can be. When somebody's walking down the street and their parents are walking with their kids and say wow, I hope I can be just like him. I mean, because he's a great person.

Nick Toulon

For Nick Toulon, life began with unimaginable hardship. Born with a brain tumor, survivor of a second brain surgery at age 3, Nick was not supposed to live past his early years. He did.

But at age 15, with his body starting to give out on him, Nick composed a list of things he wanted to do while he still had time. One of them was meeting Jason.

As the New Jersey Record related, that would happen, and for Nick, Jason, and Jason's son, T.J., it would be an afternoon to remember.

Kidd also was driving to the Nets' practice facility, but he didn't want his own young son to be surprised. He told T.J. they were about to meet a very sick child.

"Sick in the sense of passing away?" T.J. asked.

"Yes," his father answered.

Sure, it was only one hour out of Kidd's week. But the point guard could've done what he does best: pass. He could've told Nets' officials to send the boy a signed photo and moved on to the next request on the pile.

"But whatever I can do as a parent," Kidd said, "...I can always teach and help. This was a great example of what life's really about."

It's not about video games and courtside seats and being the son of an NBA star. It's about valuing every sunset and dawn.

"I wanted T.J. to see a kid who fights for his life every day," Kidd said.

Last year, a boy died on Kidd right before he was scheduled to meet him. Kidd paid for the funeral. He wanted to give the Toulons much more than that.

So the door swung wide in the Nets' practice facility Monday, and Nick Toulon came face to face with Jason and T.J. Kidd. Michele was in tears. Nick had disconnected his oxygen tank from his trach tube: He didn't want his idol to see him tethered to a machine.

They shot baskets - Nick's got pretty good range when he doesn't have that oxygen tank tugging on his arms. Kidd took him into the locker room, gave him sneakers owned by Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson ("They won't miss these," Kidd assured), and showed him the pool, hot tub and weight room.

"They get spoiled over there," Nick would say.

He started turning pale during the visit, and one of his nurses ordered him to reconnect his tank. Kidd made easy conversation with Nick. He gave the boy a signed jersey, his own sneakers and an autographed ball. Reporters weren't invited to the meeting, and Kidd didn't solicit publicity for his good deed.

He merely responded to a request to discuss a kid with a Shaq-sized heart. "It was a great honor to meet him," Kidd said. "It's amazing how special he is. He enjoys life to the fullest, and he doesn't even know what tomorrow holds for him.

"I wanted to give Nick hope more than anything. Hope that we're going to see him at our first game."

Halloween night against the Bulls. "I can't wait to go," Nick said.

RELATED STORIES
Jason Kidd Fulfills His Status as Role Model (CNN, Mar. 15, 1996)
Fighting death, he's living large (The Record, Aug. 27, 2007)