Globetrotter uses ball handling skills to teach life skills Published Dec. 14, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Xavier Navarro 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Harlem Globetrotter Chris "Handles" Franklin visited here Dec. 11 to entertain and pass on an important message to base youth. Franklin spoke to an audience of approximately 50 children and adults about believing in yourself and never giving up on your dreams, no matter difficult they may be to achieve. "When I was 6 years old I saw the Harlem Globetrotters ... people told me, 'There is no way you can be a Harlem Globetrotter,'" said Franklin. "Now I travel with the Harlem Globetrotters dribbling a basketball for them." Franklin's personal story of defying obstacles and negativity along with his entertaining basketball handling skills helped him raise awareness about two of the Globetrotters' community outreach programs: the "ABCs of Bullying Prevention" and "C.H.E.E.R. For Character." ABC, which stands for Action, Bravery and Compassion, was designed in coordination with the National Campaign to Stop Violence. Handles quizzed the children in order to reinforce the program's anti-bullying message. The quiz appeared to have worked like a charm as children were quick to raise their hands to answer, "Bullying is not cool!" The second program, "C.H.E.E.R. For Character," stands for Cooperation, Healthy mind and body, Effort, Enthusiasm and Responsibility. The program focuses on educating others on the importance of developing and promoting character education by motivating kids to care about school and each other in order to better prepare themselves for the challenges they will soon face as young adults. Both the programs target 6-12 year-old students and involve Globetrotter players incorporating their signature basketball skills. Franklin explained why these programs are important to children. "We try to reiterate those points to kids, in hopes that they will become successful," he said.