The Memphis Grizzlies are not only giving the gift of basketball to the Mid-South this Holiday Season, but they are doing their part to help make the holidays more joyful for those in need by hosting several charitable events during their annual Season of Giving, which tipped-off on Nov. 19 with Zach Randolph’s first holiday basket giveaway. The Grizzlies’ Season of Giving, presented by Gossett Motor Cars, continues this weekend and throughout the months of November and December.
The Lady Bears, comprised of women who play a significant role in the lives of Grizzlies players, coaches and basketball operations staff, will serve dinner to guests of the Salvation Army on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 4-6 p.m. at the Purdue Center of Hope (696 Jackson Ave. Memphis 38105). This marks the seventh year the Lady Bears have provided Thanksgiving dinners for the women and children at the Salvation Army.
No stranger to the Memphis community, Randolph serves as the Season of Giving Ambassador and has encouraged his teammates through his own charitable giving, with many of them following his lead on events or creating their own. On Monday, Nov. 23 players Matt Barnes, Russ Smith and Tony Allen will donate and distribute 600 holiday baskets filled with holiday classics including a turkey, corn, macaroni and cheese, stuffing and green beans at Ed Rice Community Center (2907 N Watkins St., Memphis 38127) at 4 p.m. The Grizzlies’ holiday food basket giveaways and packaging are made possible through the help of CashSaver Food Stores.
After practice on Saturday, Nov. 28, the Grizzlies will transform several areas of FedExForum into a “Winter Wonderland” to truly emphasize the team’s dedication to the Memphis community. The full Grizzlies roster will join MVP Season Ticket Holders, and community and corporate partners for a day of giving back, with hands-on activities that will include holiday basket food packaging, gift wrapping, bike building and many other activities to bring the holiday cheer – all alongside their favorite Memphis Grizzlies. Toys will be donated by the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation and will be wrapped by players and volunteers to later be distributed to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
Winter Wonderland will serve as a two-pronged event also featuring the launch of the Shoe Up! with Mike Conley campaign, in which the Jr. NBA ambassador provides free basketball shoes to kids across the Greater Memphis-area. Conley will give shoes to approximately 100 kids from the community in the Grizzlies’ Built Ford Tough Practice Facility during the Winter Wonderland event. After “shoeing up” with Conley, kids will be joined by the Grizzlies Assistant Coaches and Conley to host a basketball clinic.
Winter Wonderland was created with the intention to grow the true impact the team and its MVP Season Ticket Holders have on the Greater Memphis area and encompasses a wide-array of community service needs projects. Due to the influx of community partners and NBA scheduling, the previous season’s Toy Drive was transformed into this new event with a greater impact.
Shortly after Winter Wonderland, Randolph will host two days of giving on Dec. 2 and Dec. 5 when he hosts his second holiday basket giveaway at Hamilton High School (1363 E. Person Avenue) on Friday, Dec. 2,benefitting 500 families, before launching a new holiday event later that week.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, Randolph will sponsor 100 tickets for Memphis-area Boys & Girls Clubs to experience the Mid-South’s newest holiday adventure excursion – The Polar Express train ride, operating out of Batesville, Miss. The Christmas-themed expedition is based on the classic children’s book and animated movie. Dancing elves will serve hot chocolate aboard The Polar Express while pajama-clad passengers read along to the popular book and eat cookies.
On Monday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. Allen and Randolph will team up once again and provide a Holiday Shopping Spree at Toys “R” Us (7676 Polo Grounds Blvd., 38125) for 200 Memphis-area children who participate in surrounding Boys & Girls Clubs. Randolph and Allen’s contributions – combined with donations from the Memphis Grizzlies – enables the children to participate and purchase needed household items, clothing and holiday gifts during the one-hour shopping spree. Each child that participates will receive a $100 gift card, thanks to the generosity of Randolph, Allen and the Grizzlies.
In addition to the player events, FedExForum will host three different games in December where Grizz Nation fans can donate to the Salvation Army or Mid-South Food Bank. At the Dec. 8 matchup against Oklahoma City, representatives from the Mid-South Food Bank will be on-hand to collect canned goods or cash donations. All donors will receive a buy-one-get-one ticket voucher to a future Grizzlies game. Salvation Army Bell Ringers will also be on-hand to collect donations at the Dec. 14 game vs. Washington and the Dec. 19 game vs. Indiana.
Rounding out the Season of Giving in Memphis, Grizzlies players will stay after the Saturday, Dec. 19 game vs. the Indiana Pacers to serve dinner to the entire FedExForum Guest Relations staff and Andy Frain event security as a way to say ‘Thank You’ for all of the tireless work they put into every Grizzlies game.
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For more information on the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation please visit grizzliesfoundation.org or follow the Grizzlies’ community outreach and events on Twitter (@GrizzCommunity).
Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies by purchasing 2015-16 Season Tickets or Partial Plans can do so by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.c