Bobcats Host Hoops for Hope Dinner at Strike City

By David Walters
bobcats.com
November 15, 2011

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Members of Bobcats Sports & Entertainment were at Strike City on November 15, 2011 for the annual Hoops for Hope Dinner presented by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina. The dinner was the first of nine events in a 10-day period the Bobcats Cats Care initiative will hold over the Thanksgiving holiday in an effort to "Dunk Hunger."

BSE personnel, including President & Chief Operating Officer Fred Whitfield, General Manager Rich Cho and assistant coaches Stephen Silas and Ralph Lewis, served a Thanksgiving meal to over 200 underserved children and their families supported by A Child's Place and Charlotte Family Housing.

"Many times these kids have so many cares and worries in their lives," said Executive Director of A Child’s Place Annabelle Suddreth. "For them to just be able to come out and be a kid is awesome."

In addition to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, the families were treated to all that Strike City had to offer, including free bowling and billiards, and each guest received a Bobcats goodie bag that included a T-shirt and other Bobcats gear. Other entertainment included Nintendo Wii games, face painting and a balloon artist.

"These families got a great meal from people they usually don't get to see up close," Suddreth said. "Then, for these kids to have free reign of Strike City – what more could a kid ask for?"

During the event, Bobcats staff members talked to the kids about the importance of studying in school and being a good citizen in their community.

"This has just been a great event for us," Whitfield said. "Hunger is a big issue in Charlotte, particularly during the holiday season, and for us to be able to get out and make sure everybody gets to enjoy a family environment and be a part of our Bobcats family is so much fun for all of us."

And there was plenty of fun to be had at Strike City with Rufus, the Lady Cats and other staff members enjoying a night of fun with these kids and their families.

"It was a nice treat, especially around report card time," said Kimberly Fowler, a participating mother. "It gives the kids a breather and some excitement after school. It was a good opportunity and they earned it."

The smiles on the kids' faces said it all on this night as they got to enjoy a great time with the Bobcats staff and other families.

"It makes us all realize how fortunate we are, and it's great that we are able to do this," said Whitfield. "We're going to be all over town trying to touch as many people as we can and try to bring as many smiles as we can to these kids."