Bobcats Host Feast of Hope Thanksgiving Dinner

The holidays are a time to reflect and give thanks for all that you have. Sometimes though you need a little help to make it through.

This holiday season, the Bobcats are working to provide some of that help through their annual Season of Giving. This year’s Season of Giving tipped off on Tuesday, November 21, as the Bobcats hosted their Feast of Hope Thanksgiving Dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

The weather outside was dark, cold and dreary but the inside was anything but, as bright Bobcats blue and orange balloons welcomed close to 150 children and their families from A Child’s Place.

This event was something the kids had been looking forward to for weeks.

“We send the permission slips out really early,” explained Annabelle Suddreth, executive director of A Child’s Place. “Every day it was, ‘17 more days to the Bobcats party, 16 days, 15 days and this weekend it was two more days.’”

Bobcats players Sean May, Emeka Okafor, Melvin Ely, Alan Anderson, Jake Voskuhl and Walter Herrmann were also excited and ready to help out as they arrived at the restaurant.

“I’m just looking forward to hanging out and having fun with these kids,” said May as he donned a white apron adorned with a Bobcats logo. “It will be fun. I think it’s always important to be involved in the community.”

The players soon set to work dishing out heaping spoonfuls of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato casserole and scrumptious desserts.

“We get a kick out of it too, especially when you’re providing for underprivileged kids who may not have had the opportunities that we have had in life,” said May. “We get to bring a smile to these kids faces, who may not get to have a very special holiday. We just try to make it better for them.”

After all of the plates had been loaded up with food, the players spent some time interacting with the families.

“After we served everyone, we had a chance to sit down and visit and eat with them,” explained Voskuhl. “It was nice to visit with the people and get the chance to know them a little bit.”

The joy that this interaction brought to the children was evident as they smiled and laughed throughout the evening.

“I think it was pretty amazing,” exclaimed Demetrius Adams, one of the boys in attendance. “It was special.”

Everyone also enjoyed eating the perfectly prepared Thanksgiving dinner.

“I love it,” remarked Jennifer Stanley, who just recently moved to Charlotte. “I really appreciate them doing this. It was a great opportunity for us to get to eat here.”

“The food was excellent,” said Voskuhl. “Ruth’s Chris did a really great job preparing the food and getting it out here. They are a classy restaurant group, and this was a great place to have it.”

Being generous in the community is something Ruth’s Chris also prides itself on and they were thrilled to join the Bobcats in this endeavor.

“We, like the Bobcats, are big believers in giving back,” said Jeff Conway, who along with his wife, Paula, own Ruth’s Chris in Charlotte. “We’re just thankful for all that we’ve been blessed with, so it’s our pleasure to give back a little bit. This is something they will remember for the rest of their lives. Look at the kids, their eyes just light up when they see the players. It’s a real memorable evening for them.”

The Bobcats players also realize how important it is to be role models to the younger generation.

“Kids look up to us on and off the court, every move we make,” explained Anderson. “We had role models that we looked up to and now kids are looking up to us. It’s good for them to see us having fun. They can see how real we are as people and how our lives are similar growing up.”

“Now we are in the position to give back,” added May. “It’s easy to give back with your money, but when you give your time, it seems to be appreciated a little more.”

The Feast of Hope was definitely appreciated by Alvin Hamilton who came to the event with his wife and three young sons.

“They’re very excited,” he said as his boys met the players. “They want to get pictures with everyone. They want to get autographs. It just makes you feel special that people would take the time out to help those in need. It lets you know that it’s okay to help out and come back and help those in need.”

Following dinner, Okafor and Voskuhl took the time to share a story, Thanksgiving Surprise, with the kids. Everybody then received a Bobcats gift bag and tickets to an upcoming Bobcats game.

“This means so much to these families,” commented Suddreth. “It’s just an awesome experience for the kids and lets them know that the community cares about them and it lets them know that the Bobcats care about them. It lets them know that even in hard times, people do care.”