Bobcats Show Random Acts Of Kindness
February 14, 2007

Emeka Okafor fluttered a teacher’s heart with a simple signature and smile. Sean May received a marriage proposal after handing out some red Kool-Aid.

It goes to show just how far commitment to those within the Charlotte community can go.

For the third consecutive year, the Bobcats celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Day on Tuesday afternoon. Charlotte’s players split into the two groups, with one holding a Teacher Appreciation Day at Sedgefield Elementary and the other bringing Valentine’s wishes to the women and children at the Salvation Army Center of Hope.

Okafor, Primoz Brezec, Jake Voskuhl, Othella Harrington, Walter Herrmann and Rufus Lynx were surprise guests at the afternoon teacher’s meeting. Held in the library, the players handed out roses as a sign of respect for the dedicated teachers who educate today’s youth. With a high-energy mix of music in the background, they also signed team pennants for the excited contingent of teachers.

“The teachers were crazier than some of the kids get, but they were really excited and happy for us to be here,” Voskuhl said. “We just want to let them know that we appreciate all that they do so it works out for everybody. This is one of those small things that takes a little bit of our time, but it seems like it goes a long, long way.”

In addition to receiving autographs in the afternoon, the Bobcats Community Relations staff handed out donuts, hot coffee and various candies before the school day started, and the goodies didn’t last long among the Sedgefield staff.

“We have wonderful teachers that are dedicated to our children,” said Beverly McCain, who works in the Sedgefield main office. “Of course, they’re here day in and day out trying to push the kids where they need to be. This was a wonderful experience for them. We really appreciate it.”

Also appreciative were approximately 100 children and mothers at the Salvation Army Center of Hope. Sean May, Matt Carroll, Brevin Knight, Raymond Felton, Jeff McInnis, Gerald Wallace and Ryan Hollins served as waiters delivering dinner. The humbled Bobcats partnered with the Assist by Knight Foundation to hand out red juice as well as hamburgers and hot dogs.

“We made their day today,” McInnis, who spent time playing basketball less than two minutes away when growing up in West Charlotte, said. “We just took an hour out of our day to come out here and change some kids’ life when we are usually we are at home. It’s really touching for me, especially being from Charlotte.”

The players, clearly lacking in serving experience, started by handing out the drinks two-by-two. It didn’t take long for McInnis and several others to start delivering the drinks via trays. What was comical was watching Hollins and an injured May weave through the high pitched frenzy and Lilliputian-sized chairs. “This just gives a chance to mingle in the community,” Wallace, who received several Valentine’s cards, said. “It’s a chance to reach out to some of our friends who don’t actually get to come to our games.”

For Wallace and the others, it didn’t matter that their newfound friends mostly ignored the construction paper designated for Valentine’s cards, instead hoping for autographs on nearly everything possible. May signed a girl’s long sleeve shirt she was wearing, pink paper and Nerf ball while explaining to the girl that at 22-years old, he’s a tad too young to marry her mother.

“We’ve brought people off the street and they’re having a good time,” said Deronda Metz, the center’s director of social services. “They’re excited about life.”