NBA Cares' Season of Giving set to tip off

NEW YORK -- NBA and NBA Development League teams, players, and staff today tipped off the annual NBA Cares Season of Giving. NBA and NBA D-League teams and players will bring holiday cheer to thousands of people in need by hosting more than 350 charitable events throughout November and December.

Players, coaches, and family members will join with dozens of community partners and thousands of local volunteers to make a difference in the lives of children and families during these difficult economic times.

In addition to the hundreds of team/player charitable events taking place in communities across the country, the NBA Store in New York City will host a special holiday shopping event on Nov. 18 to benefit nonprofit organizations New York Cares and Jersey Cares.

NBA Cares Season of Giving events will include:

• The Detroit Pistons will join Feed the Children to provide 8,000 local families with food and personal care items.

• The Oklahoma City Thunder will serve a special Thanksgiving dinner to more than 700 adults and families in need followed by some on-the-court fun.

• The Utah Jazz will host 3,500 children and families at their annual Thanksgiving dinner at EnergySolutions Arena.

• The Minnesota Timberwolves will show their appreciation for more than 100 active and retired military service members and their families during their annual Give Thanks dinner.

• The Charlotte Bobcats will raise young patients' spirits during a holiday visit to the Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital.

• The Los Angeles Clippers will partner with nonprofit agency St. Joseph Center for the team's 21st annual Teamwork at the Table Thanksgiving event to provide local families with turkeys, food baskets, and clothing.

• The Dallas Mavericks will host a holiday party featuring food and fun for more than 250 military children and their families, many of whom are stationed at Fort Hood.

• The Chicago Bulls, led by Luol Deng, will serve a special meal to more than 700 men, women, and children from an area homeless shelter during their fifth annual Thanksgiving dinner.

• The Boston Celtics will invite young patients from the Children's Hospital and Boston Medical Center to a fun-filled holiday party.

• Orlando Magic forward Brandon Bass will provide 400 local families with food and personal care items in partnership with Feed the Children.

• San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will bring holiday cheer and gifts to pediatric patients at Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital.

• The Los Angeles D-Fenders will host "Christmas in the City" in partnership with the L.A. Dream Center to deliver thousands of gifts to area families in need, including 2,000 new bicycles.

• The Fort Wayne Mad Ants will treat youth from the Vincent Village Homeless Shelter to an unforgettable holiday shopping spree.