Shaquille O’Neal has always been known for his dominance on the basketball court, but off the hardwood, the Big Diesel’s heart is just as legendary. His latest act of generosity comes in the wake of a devastating tragedy in North Carolina, where a family lost four young daughters in a house fire.
On August 30, the Ellis family home in Chadbourne, N.C. caught fire. Father Patrick Ellis and his eldest daughter, Willow, 11, survived the blaze, but his four youngest daughters—Kalani Rae, Kendall Xaiya, Josephina Renee, and Sophia Nachelle, ages 2 through 7—tragically did not.
When O’Neal heard the news, he immediately reached out. In addition to his countless business ventures and media work, Shaq has also served as the director of community relations for the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia since 2021. He connected with Sheriff Reginald Scandrett to see how he could help, and together, they made a powerful gesture of support.
Covering the Costs of Love and Loss
Shaq and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office will fully cover the expenses associated with honoring the four young girls, lifting a heavy financial burden from the grieving family.
“This touches every one of us as parents, neighbors, and human beings,” O’Neal told Fox 5 Atlanta. “These were innocent lives full of promise, taken far too soon. This is not just a gesture of support—it’s a moral responsibility. I want the family to know they are not alone. We see them, we mourn with them, and we’re here to help carry this burden in any way we can.”
Sheriff Scandrett echoed Shaq’s sentiment, saying, “The loss the Ellis family has endured is one that shakes us all to our core. Our goal is to remind them they do not walk this journey alone.”
A memorial service for the girls is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, with representatives from the Sheriff’s Office present to honor their memory.
A Father’s Thanks
Patrick Ellis, who is now navigating the unimaginable grief of losing four daughters, issued a statement to the Chadbourne community. “Your compassion has been a comfort to us as we grieve the loss of my four children,” he said. “Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we walk through this unimaginable loss.”
To see the TV report of Shaq’s latest gift, click here.
Shaq’s Giving Spirit
For those who follow Shaq’s post-NBA life, this act of kindness is not surprising. Time and again, he has stepped in quietly to help those in need—whether paying off medical bills, surprising a struggling family with gifts, or, just recently, buying a young wrestler a new car so she could make it to practice.
When asked why he gives so freely, O’Neal’s answer is simple: “People call it giving back. I just call it doing the right thing.”