Shaq Visits Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark

Amidst squeals from excited children, retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal paid a surprise visit to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark on Tuesday afternoon.

O'Neal posed for pictures with staff members at the organization's clubhouse on Avon Avenue and shook hands with star struck kids. He even took photos with the club's basketball players on the bleachers of the gym.

"I was born here and raised here," said the Newark native, who was in town to visit friends and family, some of whom frequent the Avon Avenue clubhouse.

O'Neal is also an alumnus of the local Boys & Girls Clubs and has donated money for computers and play areas to the club and in the wider community of the city, said Salma Muro, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark's CEO.

Muro said O'Neal is being honored at an April 2 gala, "Evening of the Stars," at the Prudential Center for his many contributions to the organization and Newark.

"He's never forgotten about us. This is homebase for him," said Cynthia M. Banks, the group's vice president of operations.

Besides visiting the kids, O'Neal was also in town for business meetings, particularly on the redevelopment of the Springfield Avenue movie theatre, Newark Screens, according to O'Neal's business associates. O'Neal is one of the redevelopment partners who are involved in an expansion and refurbishment of the aging movie theatre.

O'Neal said he hopes the theatre opens on June 1. Next month sees a soft, partial opening.