The Pacers continued to give back during the NBA Season of Giving, traveling to Brown County on Wednesday for the Pacers Big Holiday Surprise. At the event, the Pacers gave toys to children at the Brown County Community YMCA.
PHOTOS: Pacers Big Holiday Surprise »
“The NBA, its teams and its players all take very seriously our roles in trying to make our communities better,” said Pacers President/COO Rick Fuson. “Especially at this time of the year, it is imperative for the Pacers and the Fever to do what they can to help bring smiles to those in need in Central Indiana.”
The Pacers “Season of Giving” got started with forward/center Lavoy Allen and his Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at the Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls Club on East 30th St. Allen provided turkeys to over 100 needy families and then put on a mini basketball clinic for the children.
Then, Pacers star David West and his wife Lesley once again partnered with Pacers sponsor US Foods for the team’s annual “Come to Our House” Thanksgiving Dinner which saw over 700 men, women and children from Indiana shelters receive a warm, holiday meal at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and then go home with scarves, socks, gloves, etc.
Later this month, Pacers owner Herb Simon will once again team with his friend, Stephen Berman of JAKKS Pacific toys company to distribute over 20,000 toys to children in Central Indiana. The two friends started this tradition a few years ago and have worked with the Indiana National Guard to make sure the toys get into the hands of needy Hoosier children.
Dec. 3, 2014 - For the sixth consecutive year, the Pacers and Fever teamed up with JAKKS Pacific Toy Company to distribute more than 20,000 toys to local non-profit agencies and families of the Indiana National Guard.
The Pacers have partnered with Simon Malls to once again create “Shop with The Pacers” at the Greenwood Park Mall. Children from the Indiana Children’s Bureau will go on a holiday shopping spree with the Pacers players, the Pacemates and mascot Boomer.
David and Lesley West will host their annual “Big Holiday Surprise” at the Turning Point Christian School for the third year. The event is an incentive program based on attendance, grades and classroom behavior. Close to 125 students and parents from the school’s Academic Achievers club will attend.
Pacers guard and Indianapolis native George Hill is giving back with his “2014 Wish Patrol” as he again has teamed with the Wish for Our Heroes program. Hill will drive around Indy on a bus and stop at the homes of military families and “surprise” them with toys, gifts and food.