NBA teams and players have hosted a variety of heartwarming and impactful NBA Cares Season of Giving events ahead of the holiday, including turkey drives, dinners, and shopping sprees. The spirit of the players drives the League’s commitment to social upliftment, but the media often fails to report on the selfless and positive things that these athletes are doing.
Below are a few examples of events held by teams and players who took the court on Thanksgiving Eve on Wednesday, as well as some other efforts from across the league that will continue throughout the Holiday season.
Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen hosted his third annual Meals + Math Thanksgiving event where he provided Thanksgiving groceries to 25 local children and their families, giving each child a sample grocery list, calculator and budget of $100 to spend on Thanksgiving essentials while teaching them math and budgeting (Nov. 19).
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Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker explains why it’s important to remember others during the Season of Giving.
'Tis the #SeasonofGiving! #NBACares 🤗🎁 pic.twitter.com/WrI4YOJfMR
— NBA Cares (@nbacares) November 22, 2019
L.A. Lakers players Quinn Cook and Dwight Howard began the team’s Season of Giving with a Thanksgiving Feast for more than 250 deserving community members who gathered for a night of festivities, including carnival games and a meal from Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ (Nov. 16).
Turkey time at our annual Thanksgiving Feast! 🍗🏀 pic.twitter.com/UaSvnosFsk
— Lakers Community (@LakersCommunity) November 17, 2019
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday provided Thanksgiving meals and fun for 75 families in need from the Kingsley House in New Orleans (Nov. 18).
As part of the @PelicansNBA Season of Giving, @Jrue_Holiday11 and family hosted his annual Turkey Day with Holiday @KingsleyHouse to give thanks to local families!#PelicansCommunity #SeasonofGiving #NBACares pic.twitter.com/77tWuDmcAW
— Pelicans Community (@PelsCommunity) November 19, 2019
Houston’s Russell Westbrook served dinner to more than 800 families in need in his hometown of L.A. at his Why Not? Foundation’s 8th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner (Nov. 21).
THANK YOU to all people involved in the special evening of giving back OUR community. I’m blessed and thankful to be able to service a community where I a grew up in. The @WhyNotFdn will continue to service OUR communities with different acts of giving!!!! #whynot pic.twitter.com/wUPekz6IJ7
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) November 22, 2019
Steven Adams and OKC’s full team held a Thanksgiving Carnival, serving traditional lunch and participating in Thanksgiving-themed activities at Positive Tomorrows, OKC’s school for homeless children (Nov. 14).
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B48IoccJ1m6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Victor Oladipo served meals at the Pacers’ annual “Come to our House” Thanksgiving dinner (Nov. 20).
We’re serving it up at the annual Come to Our House Thanksgiving Dinner presented by @USFoods and hosted by @VicOladipo, @dougmcdermott & the @PacersFdn 🤗#SeasonOfGiving x @PacersCares pic.twitter.com/34aUCNOgQv
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) November 20, 2019
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine hosted a turkey drive, giving away more than 500 turkeys and sides. (Nov. 21)
Yesterday, @ZachLavine gave away 500 turkeys with Thanksgiving sides, courtesy of @jewelosco, to deserving families at BUILD Chicago.
PHOTOS:
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 22, 2019
The Memphis Grizzlies sorted and prepared more than 800 boxes of nonperishable food and necessities like toothpaste, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies ahead of the holiday (Nov. 21).
Our city.
Our community.The best gift is the gift of giving. #GrizzTheSeason pic.twitter.com/Hn1J8ZWeG8
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) November 21, 2019
