Before he became LA Knight, one of the hottest superstars in professional wrestling today, Shaun Ricker was a kid growing up in Hagerstown, Maryland, dreaming of making it big in the ring.
That hometown connection came full circle recently, as the WWE Superstar made a $20,000 donation to the United Way of Washington County, Maryland, to support some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.
Ricker, a North Hagerstown High School graduate from the Class of 2000, was involved in band and track during his school years but always had his sights set on professional wrestling. Years later, after achieving success on the national stage and even receiving the key to the city of Hagerstown, Ricker is now giving back in a major way.
The $20,000 contribution will immediately benefit United Way programs focused on the county’s ALICE population, households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. In Washington County, that group represents between 41 percent and 43 percent of residents each year. The funding will support an ALICE urgent needs fund, a weekend food security program serving more than 1,200 children, and a local pet food bank that helps families keep their pets during difficult times.
“I was truly honored to receive the key to the city. Now, it’s my turn to give back to the community that has given me so much,” Ricker said in a statement. “I decided to make this investment because I trust United Way to allocate these funds where they are most needed. I hope that this contribution inspires others to consider how they can support our local neighbors in their own unique ways.”
United Way leadership praised both the size of the gift and Ricker’s continued commitment to his hometown.
“We are truly touched by Shaun’s remarkable generosity, his dedication to the community, and the trust he has placed in us to allocate his donations to the most urgent needs affecting his hometown,” said Heather H. Guessford, President and CEO of the United Way of Washington County, Maryland.
Ricker’s support went beyond financial assistance. During a visit to Washington County, he also donated WWE LA Knight licensed action figure toys to United Way’s annual Holiday Giving Tree program, benefiting children from six local families during the holiday season.
From a Hagerstown kid chasing a dream to a WWE star giving back at home, Ricker’s latest contribution is another reminder that his Maryland roots still matter.
