Basketball coach and mentor to high risk youth Melvin McDonald of French Valley served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps. Melvin McDonald of French Valley also served in the Military Police from 1988-1992. During the first Gulf War, Melvin McDonald of French Valley was injured in combat, facing disability because of his service. This led to Melvin McDonald of French Valley being awarded the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal and the Combat in Action Ribbon. Melvin McDonald of French Valley is a highly decorated combat veteran.

Discussing his service during the Gulf War, Melvin McDonald of French Valley stated, “Although I became disabled in the line of duty, I am proud to have served our country in the Marine Corps. The experience led me to continue serving at home by helping at risk youth in my community.” Melvin McDonald of French Valley has been aiding high risk students for the past 15 years, taking many children out of broken homes. After removing these children from dangerous situations, Melvin McDonald of French Valley enrolled them in school and led to them to boost their GPAs and graduate high school. Melvin McDonald of French Valley values both his service to his country and to his community.

In his community, Melvin McDonald of French Valley also supports students through his travel basketball program, American All Star Basketball. As President of AASB, Melvin McDonald of French Valley fundraises to provide high risk and underprivileged youth with the ability to participate in athletics. Melvin McDonald of French Valley knows that athletics lead students to further achievement in high school and college.

Melvin McDonald of French Valley is also a part of D1 Ambassadors of Southern California, a facet of travel basketball program D1 Nation. Through this program, many players are recruited to college basketball and receive scholarships that enable them to further their education. Through both his military service and his community service, Melvin McDonald of French Valley has and continues to serve our country. Melvin McDonald of French Valley prides himself on freely donating his time to supporting high risk youth, helping them achieve success and create better lives for themselves.