Sometimes, just being there is a big help ... and James Harden was on Monday

You can endorse an organization, donate to it, recognize it, but nothing quite does it like showing up at an organization event and being part of it. James Harden did just that Monday when he ventured up to PS 149 on West 117th Street in Harlem to help refurbish a playground, talk to some young kids and give the organization running the event some primetime facetime.

And yes, yes, he went deep into the paint to do it. Handling a paint brush like he handles the ball, Harden joined the school’s students in providing the playground some color, including murals. The event was sponsored by Publicolor, a city-based non-profit that engages high-risk, low-income middle and high school students.

“Every day isn’t perfect, we are human. Keep pushing and fighting and stay focused on school. Good things will happen,” Harden told students at PS 149. “We’re all human and as long as they can get that at a young age — pushing, fighting, staying focused on school, taking care of their families — good things will happen.”

The students seemed to respond well to Harden’s visit...

Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images

Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images

Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images

Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images

Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images

Same with Publicolor founder Ruth Lande Shuman who thanked Harden.

“[We] engage kids who are disaffected, low-income [and] high-risk,” said . “We get them into school and on to college.”

• Nets star James Harden visits playground with Harlem students (Video) - Greg Mocker & Sarah Vasile - WPIX 11