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California lottery honors 'Hero in Education'

Mr. Robinson will be presented with the award by actor James Hong. Hong has appeared on television as well as in countless films. His television credits include Friends, Seinfeld and The West Wing. Chinatown, Blade Runner and Big Trouble in Little China are among some of Hong's many movie accomplishments.

Flynn Robinson played in the NBA for seven seasons, from 1966 to 1973. In 1972, along with Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, he won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers on what was named by the NBA in 1996 one of the Top Ten Teams of all time.

Three years ago he joined 976-TUNA, a program that seeks to provide disadvantaged kids from Southern California with the opportunity to experience healthy and affordable recreation through saltwater fishing. The program's motto is "You can't protect what you don't understand." Robinson's hope is that through an introduction to sport fishing, children will gain an appreciation for nature and a greater understanding of the complex marine ecosystem of the Pacific Ocean, learning that taking care of the ocean and the earth is a life long responsibility.

Robinson, a longtime fisherman, has taken thousands of kids out on the water. He is on almost every trip, taking about 160 kids out on the boat. His presence gives the children a sense of comfort since most of them are huge Lakers fans! He teaches them how to tie hooks and cast out bait. Most of all, he helps them understand the other marine life they encounter on the trip such as seals and sea birds.

The staff of 976-TUNA says that he is "invaluable, irreplaceable and always enthusiastic," serving as a great role model for kids of all ages. He is truly a Hero in Education.

The California State Lottery's "Heroes in Education" award has been presented monthly on The Big Spin show since 1999. The Lottery presents these awards to recognize special individuals who volunteer time and resources to their schools and communities.

The California State Lottery contributes at least 34 cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of prizes. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than $19 billion to California schools out of total sales of more than $52 billion. Retailers win too, earning $3.3 billion in compensation since 1985.

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