Houston HopeFest: Day 1

On Tuesday, September 5, the Houston Rockets, KPRC Local 2, and Memorial Hermann launched Houston HopeFest, a three-day spectacle designed to collect and distribute donation items, as well as provide basic human services and job-skills training information to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama residents who have taken shelter in Houston. Beginning at 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Houstonians came by the dozens to distribute goods such as diapers, water, clothes, toys, and much, much more. The way the city has embraced evacuees has been nothing short of heartwarming, and the Rockets are proud to be apart of such an outstanding cause.

“So far the response has been great. It’s what we expected from Houstonians,” Rockets Vice President Tad Brown said. “They’re always so giving and caring for their fellow man, and this is just an example of when you rally around a great idea and a great cause, people are going to respond.”

Aside from the abundance of dedicated Rockets staff members and volunteers who have assisted in organizing and arranging HopeFest, Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy and Rockets guard Mike James also made early-morning appearances on Tuesday to help accept donations. Later in the afternoon, more members of the Rockets (guards Luther Head, David Wesley, and trainer Keith Jones), as well as the entire Houston Comets basketball team (including head coach Van Chancellor and assistant coach Kevin Cook) made their way to Toyota Center to show their support and offer assistance for accepting donations. Rockets guards Tracy McGrady, Jon Barry, Derek Anderson, and Bob Sura are also scheduled to show up during the three-day event and lend their helping hand.

“It just shows you what kind of character organization we have,” Brown said, referring to Rockets players and coaches lending their aid. “It just shows Jeff and the values that he brings to the team, and our owner, Les (Alexander) and (CEO) George (Postolos), and the values they impart on the business side of the organization. We have a real class organization filled with character men. It doesn't surprise me at all the way that Mike (James), Jon Barry, Tracy, David Wesley, and Coach, and the rest of the staff, have supported all the efforts. Those are the kinds of people that they are. They care about the community, they care about the organization, they care about making a difference, and that's something we can all be proud of."

HopeFest will continue through Thursday, September 8. Donation distributions will continue on Wednesday from 7 a.m.-9 p.m., and on Thursday from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Job help and agency assistance will take effectWednesday and Thursday at the same allotted hours.