ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – One boys and girls club in Atlantic City received quite a surprise last Friday, Aug. 5, when NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman walked into the gym to greet them.

Rodman and local author from McDonough, N.Y. Dustin Warburton teamed up back in 2013 to co-author a children’s book, “Dennis and the Wild Bull.” This children's book encompasses the message that it is okay to be different, as Rodman openly had a troubled upbringing which caused him to be 'different', as he was very shy and introverted as a child.

Fast forward decades later and Rodman and Warburton are trying to reach out to troubled and impoverished youth, to help them see it is perfectly alright to be who they are and to embrace themselves.

“It was really cool. We made a complete surprise to the boys and girls club in Atlantic City, and we gave out an entire box of books to everyone. So every kid there got a free book,” said Warburton. “The kids faces when we walked into the basketball court there, it was really great to be a part of.”