Hornets Believe: Season of Giving 2010
By: Calder Hynes, Hornets.com
December 27, 2010
“While we are committed to giving back throughout the entire year, it is especially important to our entire Hornets family to show our support for the community during this time of family, fun and celebration,” said Hornets President Hugh Weber of the activities.
One such activity was the Enterprise Bike Giveaway that took place on Dec. 16 in the Harmony Oaks Neighborhood in Uptown New Orleans. Fifty kids from the Harmony Oaks Community Center were surprised with new bikes courtesy of Enterprise Rent-a-Car with Santa Claus, Air Hugo and Honeybees in attendance to entertain the children and their families.
Hornet players Jason Smith and Jarrett Jack were also in attendance, helping Enterprise employees in distributing the bikes to the children.
“I have never been a part of anything like this (around the holidays). The stuff the Hornets do for Christmas and the holidays and the community, I think it’s great. I love giving back to the community, they give so much support to us, why not support them,” said Smith, in his first year with the organization.
Another new face on the team, Jack echoed Smith’s feelings and said he felt a personal connection to the event.
“I’ve actually never been a part of something that touched so close to home. This is a situation that I felt like I grew up in, and just to be a part of this is unbelievable.”
Enterprise’s partnership with the Hornets in the Season of Giving extended to the Dec. 22 home game against the New Jersey Nets, where at halftime on center court 50 more underprivileged youth from the Housing Authority of New Orleans were presented with bikes. In addition to the bicycles, the children and their families received three tickets to the game and were treated to a 105-91 New Orleans victory.
“The Hornets provide such a great role model for these kids and potential opportunity for them. To see kids go without during this time is so unfortunate. It’s the most important time of the year for kids, and to be able to do this really feels special for us,” said Alexis Hocevar, the Vice President/General Manager of Enterprise.
The bike giveaways for local children were just one aspect of the Hornets’ extensive, month-long Season of Giving events. Here are a few of the other activities this month:
- On Dec. 14, the team held its annual Senior Holiday Luncheon at the Alario Center. General manager Dell Demps, head coach Monty Williams and Hornets players Jason Smith and Pops Mensah-Bonsu visited the event, which was attended by over 1,000 seniors.
- During Hornets home games on Dec. 15 and Dec. 17, a total of 700 fans brought unwrapped toys to the New Orleans Arena, which were donated to Toys for Tots. As a thank you for their donations, participating fans were given a pair of tickets to the Jan. 3 home game vs. Philadelphia.
- Prior to the Dec. 22 home game vs. New Jersey, three-time All-Star guard Chris Paul personally provided 25 teenagers with $200 each in gifts from Best Buy. The youngsters were also given free tickets to the game that night and watched CP3 and his teammates during their pregame routine.
- On Dec. 23, the Season of Giving concluded with The Salvation Army Emerge Christmas Party, presented by Richard’s Disposal. Over 600 Recovery School District students in grades 6 through 8 who’ve maintained perfect attendance this year received holiday gifts, along with 1,200 of their guests. The party was held at Mardi Gras World and attended by Hornets players Aaron Gray, D.J. Mbenga, Emeka Okafor and Marcus Thornton.
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