Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Chris Herren teams up with Mel's Charities to share story of overcoming substance abuse

OZAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- This week's story has a pair of everyday heroes.

Chris Herren, a basketball star who battled a severe drug addiction, spends 200 days a year touring the country sharing his story.

Mel's Charities has brought Herren to speak to students and the community for the last five years in a row. 

It is just one of the many things Mel's Charities is doing in Ozaukee County.

On Nov. 12, the marquee was lit up with Chris Herren's name at the Rivoli Theater, and inside, the popcorn was popping. 

Cedarburg usually gathers here to see a movie. 

But after a quick video about basketball star Chris Herren, the lights went up, and the man himself took the stage to share his story.

"It's kind of what I went through, my life, my transition, into addiction as well as into recovery," Herren said.

He spends 200 days a year traveling the country. 

Herren was a high school and college basketball star, eventually playing for the Boston Celtics. 

"I had 300 80-milligram oxycontin smuggled," Herren told the crowd gathered to hear his story, discussing his drug use.

Drug addiction eventually derailed his professional career. 

"It all started for me with a beer can in the woods, you know, and it ended with heroin," Herren said.

Herren has shared his story with 20 area high schools in the five years he's been visiting Ozaukee County. 

"You know, he just cares," said Tom Stanton, executive director of Mel's Charities.

Stanton is the one who has made Herren's visits happen. 

"I was watching ESPN and there was a documentary called First Day," Stanton recalled about the first time he learned about Chris.

Chris' story touched his heart, and as the executive director of Mel's Charities, he reached out. 

"Bringing in a guy like Chris to talk about substance abuse is top of the list," Stanton said.

It's just one of the many things Mel's Charities does. It's a mission Stanton started 27 years ago. 

"Memorials, community impact and individuals with disabilities, and now we've given away more than $3.2 million," he said.

Stanton has a way of bringing people together. 

"We call them our doers, donors, door openers and dreamers. And everybody fits into one of those puzzle pieces," he said.

Herren fits into Stanton's puzzle of helping others. 

"His spirit, his kindness, how selfless he is. I just love being part of that," Herren said of Stanton.

It's the community Stanton has created. Forging friendships that change lives. 

"I think why it works is that we're helping people right here in the community, right here in Ozaukee County," Stanton said.

"He just wants to help others, and you feel that immediately," Herren said.

Mel's has a major development in Saukville called Mel's Village that is currently being worked on. When it's done, it will have employment, housing and entertainment for people with disabilities. 

You can also find Mel's Charities at Festive Fridays in Cedarburg, starting this Friday.

To learn more about Mel's Charities, click here. 

And to learn more about Chris Herren, click here. 

If you want to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].