In the past, I've often written about Harvey, Ill. claim-to-fame comedian Tom Dreesen.

He's always been generous and has never forgotten his early roots in our region, just over the Illinois state line in tiny Harvey. Each year, his charity golf tournament raises funds for United Way and other worthy causes.

I've also mentioned in my column that Harvey's neighboring community, Robbins, Ill., also has a celebrity claim-to-fame, since actress Nichelle Nichols, 76, was born Grace Nichols there. She starred on the original "Star Trek" as the quiet, serious Lt. Uhura, in charge of the Enterprise's communications systems.

But after last week's headlines, it's important that I admit I've been remiss by not mentioning another Robbins hometown hero.

Basketball star and Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade hails from Robbins. Last week, he made his hometown prouder than ever before thanks to his generosity.

He returned home to donate $25,000 to the local public library to save it from closing.

After arriving in a gleaming black SUV, the 6-foot-4 Wade, 27, presented a check to Robbins Public Library director Priscilla Coatney, bringing her to tears.

In making what he called a "small contribution" (since, after all, his salary is close to $16 million), the Associated Press reported that Wade said he wants "to give kids in this impoverished town a chance at getting ahead in life."

Specifically, he said "knowledge is power," and described growing up in Robbins as "not knowing where your next meal is coming from."

He recalled visiting the Robbins library as a kid, joking that he "wasn't there every day."

Wade admits he wasn't a great student while attending high school in Oak Lawn, Ill. and his poor academic performance prompted some colleges and universities not to recruit him.

Last month, Robbins library officials said the facility was running out of cash because of declining revenues and announced it was on the verge of closing. Only a federal grant and donations, especially Wade's, have helped it remain open.

Wade is used to making headlines as a member of the 2004 US Olympics Team with fellow NBA All-Stars LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

Wade, who married his high school sweetheart Siohvaughn Funches (the two filed for divorce in 2007) has two sons, Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade, 7,and Zion Malachi Airamis Wade, 2.

He is known to many fans by his nicknames on the court, like D-Wade and Flash, given to him by former teammate Shaquille O'Neal who would sing, "He's the greatest in the universe," in reference to the Queen song of the same name from the 1980 film "Flash Gordon."Also a generous benefactor to his church(es) in Chicago, his biography describes him as"a devout Christian," whose chose his jersey number "3" because it represents the Holy Trinity.

Also a generous benefactor to his church(es) in Chicago, his biography describes him as"a devout Christian," whose chose his jersey number "3" because it represents the Holy Trinity.After Wade's memorable performances during the 2006 NBA Playoffs, his personality and charm made him a favorite guests on talk shows including "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "Live with Regis and Kelly."

After Wade's memorable performances during the 2006 NBA Playoffs, his personality and charm made him a favorite guests on talk shows including "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "Live with Regis and Kelly."In 2003, he founded The Wade's World Foundation, which provides support to community-based organizations that promote education, health, and social skills for children in at-risk situations.

In 2003, he founded The Wade's World Foundation, which provides support to community-based organizations that promote education, health, and social skills for children in at-risk situations.In May 2008, Wade purchased a church building and gave it to his mother, Jolinda, a Baptist pastor in Chicago.Earlier this year, after breaking his own Miami Heat single-season scoring record, Wade gave the jersey he wore in that night's victory to 8-year-old Michael Stolzenberg, an avid Heat fan who lost both hands and his feet to a bacterial infection.The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.Today's Celebrity BirthdaysActress Lauren Bacall is 85. Blues singer B.B. King is 84. Actor Peter Falk is 82. Singer Betty Kelly of Martha and the Vandellas is 65. Drummer Kenney Jones (Small Faces, Faces, The Who) and actress Susan Ruttan ("L.A. Law") and bassist Ron Blair of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are 61. Actor Ed Begley Jr. is 60. Singer David Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers is 59. Jazz guitarist Earl Klugh and actor Christopher Rich ("Reba," "Murphy Brown") are 56. TV weatherman Mark McEwen and singer Frank Reed of The Chi-Lites are 55. Illusionist David Copperfield and actor Mickey Rourke are 53. Country singer Terry McBride and actress Jennifer Tilly are 51. Singer Richard Marx is 46. Comedian Molly Shannon ("Saturday Night Live") is 45. Singer Marc Anthony is 41. Comedian Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation," "Saturday Night Live") is 38. Singer Musiq is 32. Actress Alexis Bledel ("Gilmore Girls") are 28. Actress Sabrina Bryan ("The Cheetah Girls") is 25. Actress Madeline Zima ("The Nanny") is 24. Actress Kyla Pratt ("Fat Albert," "Dr. Doolittle") is 23. Singer Teddy Geiger is 21. Musician Nick Jonas of The Jonas Brothers is 17.

In May 2008, Wade purchased a church building and gave it to his mother, Jolinda, a Baptist pastor in Chicago.

Earlier this year, after breaking his own Miami Heat single-season scoring record, Wade gave the jersey he wore in that night's victory to 8-year-old Michael Stolzenberg, an avid Heat fan who lost both hands and his feet to a bacterial infection.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.

Today's Celebrity Birthdays

Actress Lauren Bacall is 85. Blues singer B.B. King is 84. Actor Peter Falk is 82. Singer Betty Kelly of Martha and the Vandellas is 65. Drummer Kenney Jones (Small Faces, Faces, The Who) and actress Susan Ruttan ("L.A. Law") and bassist Ron Blair of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are 61. Actor Ed Begley Jr. is 60. Singer David Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers is 59. Jazz guitarist Earl Klugh and actor Christopher Rich ("Reba," "Murphy Brown") are 56. TV weatherman Mark McEwen and singer Frank Reed of The Chi-Lites are 55. Illusionist David Copperfield and actor Mickey Rourke are 53. Country singer Terry McBride and actress Jennifer Tilly are 51. Singer Richard Marx is 46. Comedian Molly Shannon ("Saturday Night Live") is 45. Singer Marc Anthony is 41. Comedian Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation," "Saturday Night Live") is 38. Singer Musiq is 32. Actress Alexis Bledel ("Gilmore Girls") are 28. Actress Sabrina Bryan ("The Cheetah Girls") is 25. Actress Madeline Zima ("The Nanny") is 24. Actress Kyla Pratt ("Fat Albert," "Dr. Doolittle") is 23. Singer Teddy Geiger is 21. Musician Nick Jonas of The Jonas Brothers is 17.