LeBron James thanks Sherwin-Williams for keeping banner, donation

CLEVELAND, June 28 (UPI) -- A banner featuring 10-stories of LeBron James will stay in downtown Cleveland during the Republican National Convention.

The banner, located on Sherwin-Williams' global headquarters, was set to be removed in favor of a banner celebrating the company's 150th anniversary.

The company will also donate $150,000 to the LeBron James Family Foundation.

"In recognition of fan interest, the company will keep the now-famous LeBron James banner hanging from its global headquarters building. The banner was set to come down for the summer in order to display a Sherwin-Williams banner celebrating 150 years," Sherwin-Williams said in a release.

Fans took to social media when the initial announcement was made to remove the banner, just days after they celebrated an NBA championship on the streets below.

Kathy Springer, of Macedonia, Ohio, even started a Change.org petition titled: "Cavs Nation: Leave It Up! Sherwin Williams, don't remove the LeBron James banner for RNC." The petition gained steam quickly, receiving nearly 24,000 signatures in less than a week.

The banner is located across the street from Quicken Loans Arena.

"For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been proud to call Cleveland our home, and we're committed to doing the right thing for the people of this great city," said John Morikis, President and CEO, The Sherwin-Williams Company. "For the last year, we've been planning to hang a celebratory banner outside our building during the summer months. But what better way to celebrate our 150th year than with a NBA championship. As a long-time supporter of the Cavs, and the entire community, we want the energy and excitement in this city to continue."

The company co-sponsored the parade and employs 3,000 people in Northeast Ohio. The LeBron James Family Foundation uses education and co-curricular educational activities to positively affect the lives of children and young adults. The foundation was founded in 2004 and is staffed by volunteers, including James' mother Gloria, his wife Savannah, and business partner Maverick Carter.

"We are so grateful to the Sherwin-Williams Company for their continued generosity to the Akron and Cleveland communities, and would like to congratulate them on their 150-year milestone," said Michele Campbell, the Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. "This contribution to our kids will go a long way in helping us provide the resources and interventions necessary to keep our students in school and on the path to a college education."

James personally thanked the company on Facebook Tuesday.

"HUGE s/o to Ohio's own Sherwin-Williams and a thank you to John Morikis & each of their 3,000 NEO employees," James wrote. "WOW...this is incredible. ‪#‎WEAREFAMILY‬ ‪#‎IPROMISE‬ ‪#‎STRIVEFORGREATNESS‬."

The Cavaliers' 2016 NBA Championship was the first title for Cleveland in 52 years.