INDIANAPOLIS – Thanksgiving is technically still a week away, but the Pacers and Fever celebrated the holiday a little early this year with some special guests from the local community.
For the 17th straight year, the Pacers welcomed men, women, and children from Central Indiana shelters to Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a warm, traditional holiday meal at the annual “Come to Our House” Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 20. As they have for the last few years, Pacers forward David West and his wife Lesley hosted the event, which is presented by Pacers sponsor US Foods.
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"It's an opportunity to serve people less fortunate than we are," West said of his family's contributions to the even. "It's just a part of being a human being, caring for those (when) you see a need (by providing) what you can."
Over 650 guests were welcomed into the Entry Pavilion, where they were treated to a Thanksgiving feast featuring a veritable cornucopia of food, prepared by Levy Restaurants. Pacers coaches and players joined Fever Head Coach Stephanie White, local media, Pacers staff and employees, special volunteers and Pacers broadcasters all came together to help serve dinner to the distinguished guests.
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"Talking about serving community, I don't think there's any better day than today in terms of feeding people, getting them in out of the cold," Pacers President Rick Fuson said.
In addition to West, the entire Pacers coaching staff was on hand along with most of the current players and an impressive roster of former players like Rik Smits, Fred Jones, Darnell Hillman all took part in the event, which tips off the 2014-15 Season of Giving Campaign.
"It's awesome," Pacers point guard and Indianapolis native George Hill said of the event. "To meet all these guys, these ladies and gentlemen, to talk to them, help them out, put a smile on their face... it's always great to give back to the community."
Members of the Indiana Pacemates and team mascots Boomer and Freddy Fever were also on hand to mingle with and entertain the guests while they ate. In addition to the food, the guests had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities which included: the IU Health blood pressure screenings; photo booths; a Balloon Artist; a Face Painter; a Caricaturist and more.
At the end of the night, each guest received a Pacers Holiday Pack which includes a Pacers hat, gloves, Finish Line socks, hygiene items courtesy of Feed the Children, gift certificates from McDonald’s and a variety of other cold-weather items.
Each guest also received a Fever scarf, which five of the biggest names in the Fever organization helped purchase. Fever All-Stars Tamika Catchings and Shavonte Zellous, head coach Stephanie White, head coach emeritus Lin Dunn, and President and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf all personally helped pay for this very special gift.
“The holiday season is an important time, but not everyone has the means to even have three meals a day let alone a big holiday meal," Zellous said. "It is important for us with the Fever and Pacers to team up and feed those in need. And I am happy basketball has given me the means to help provide scarves for our guests to stay warm this winter.”
Groups that attended included: The Wheeler Center; Dayspring Center; Salvation Army; Good News Mission; Holy Family Shelter; Horizon House; HVAF Network; Stopover; The Julian Center and Wheeler Mission.