The Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation hosted more than 200 people from Parents in Community Action, Inc. (PICA) Head Start for a night of Thanksgiving dinner and fun-filled activities on Monday, November 20 at NBA City Restaurant in the Target Center.

At the Give Thanks event, Wolves players, coaches and staff took over the restaurant while participating in several activities with their special guests. Players and coaches were serving the food, bussing the tables and handing out beverages for the families in attendance. Crunch and the Wolves dance team were also on hand to take part in the fun. After dinner, these families had the opportunity to take on their favorite Wolves players and coaches in games, contests and other activities.

"It's great to be able to help out in the community," said Wolves point guard Mike James. "Having so many families come to eat dinner, play games and have fun with us made for a special evening."

The evening’s activities included free throw and three-point contests, balloons, pictures and autographs with the team, in addition to a videogame playoff.

"This is our second "Give Thanks" event where we've hosted families, and this year we're working with Head Start and Parenting In Action of Hennepin County," said Sr. manager of community relations Katie Mattis. "We're really excited about that."

PICA is a private, non-profit agency designated by the federal government to operate Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Hennepin County, Minnesota. PICA serves nearly 2,500 children including kids without homes, children with disabilities and their families, with many programs in addition to Head Start and Early Head Start.

"This is an amazing opportunity for Head Start families," said Alyce Dillon, Executive Director for PICA Head Start. "The festive winter season can be such a hardship on parents of young children, many who go without Thanksgiving dinners for lack of resources. This exciting and fun family even is such a generous donation by the Timberwolves. It will be an inspiration to parents and their children - a highlight of the year!"

The Timberwolves Give Thanks event kicks off the team's Season of Giving campaign. Every year from Thanksgiving through December the FastBreak Foundation focuses on the Season of Giving presented by Toshiba Business Solutions, where the Foundation works with organizations and events that work to improve the holiday season for Minnesotans in need. The goal of the campaign is to demonstrate the organization's support of those who work to provide a better holiday season for others. The mission of the FastBreak Foundation is to provide and support hands-on programs that positively impact Minnesota youth. Through giving, education and basketball opportunities, the Fastbreak Foundation enables young people to make responsible decisions, contribute to their future and experience lifelong memories.

"Our foundation is all about creating those moments that are unique, and that's the fun of what we do -- that our players can have that impact on people and create such an opportunity for families," said Mattis.