season of giving 2016

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Photos: Looney, ZTE USA Host Target Shopping Spree

On Thursday, December 29, the Golden State Warriors and ZTE USA hosted 10 students from the A. Philip Randolph Institute in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood for a shopping spree at the Target store in Alameda. Surprising the students from behind the store was 6’9” Warriors Forward Kevon Looney, who passed out custom-made Warriors jerseys and Target gift cards for each youth.

“I’m happy to be here at Target for a shopping spree and thankful to ZTE for putting this event on,” said Looney. “This [event] is part of the Season of Giving, so it’s been a lot of fun to speak to these kids, who are around my age, to talk about how school is going and what they’re doing in the community.”

The 10 participating young men and women are affiliated with the A. Philip Randolph Institute of San Francisco, a non-profit organization committed to supporting racial equality and economic justice for Bayview-Hunters Point residents through civic participation. The students, currently enrolled in high school or college, were selected for their outstanding leadership and involvement in community programs and initiatives.

“It’s always great to give back during the holidays, it’s great to put smiles on their faces,” said Looney. “Some aren’t as fortunate as others, so I admire young people who see it’s important to give back to their community, connect with great people and have fun.”

After a group photo, Looney spent time with each student walking through the Target aisles, searching for chargers and battery packs to stay connected, business clothing and shoes for upcoming job interviews, snacks to stay fueled between classes and gifts for loved ones.

“These young men and women have committed so much time and effort to our organization over the last year,” said A. Philip Randolph Institute of San Francisco Executive Director Jacqueline Flin. “Teenagers are often forgotten during the holiday season, so the gifts purchased today will make a big difference to them and really prepare them for their high school and college endeavors.”

While shopping, Looney and the students connected over their current school studies, career plans and mutual interests such as basketball and video games. The students then made their way to the checkout counter as Looney signed autographs, posed for Snapchat photos and shared holiday well-wishes.

“Thanks to the Warriors’ generous spirit and the ZTE team, I had a really memorable shopping experience and a great time with Kevon,” said Sierra Bourne.

In addition to the $200 shopping spree, each student also received a Warriors Season of Giving holiday gift bag, courtesy of ZTE.

Thursday’s shopping spree was part of the Warriors Season of Giving community outreach initiative, as Warriors players and coaches hosted events throughout the months of November and December to brighten the lives of Bay Area families and youth.

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Kevon Looney Joins ZTE USA to Host Target Shopping Spree For Bayview-Hunters Point Youth

On Monday, December 19, the Warriors Season of Giving initiative continued as Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson visited the pediatric ward of Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center. Thompson visited the bedsides of dozens of young boys and girls spending their holidays in the hospital this year.

“It’s great to be here at Kaiser Permanente’s pediatric ward to see some kids, hang out with them and try to put a smile on their faces,” said Thompson. “It’s the holidays and the Season of Giving, so I’m happy to be here and having a great time with them.”

Toting a red wheelbarrow filled with Season of Giving presents, Thompson walked into each hospital room with a big smile and good wishes for each young patient and his or her family. From infants to teenagers, Thompson made a connection with each person in the room, charismatically talking about shared interests, lending an empathetic ear and writing thoughtful notes to each patient.

“Klay came into my room and knew my name and asked what I wanted for Christmas, which made my day,” said 16-year-old patient Leandra. “[Thompson visiting us] makes us forget our problems and brings a smile to our faces.”

Each of the patients Thompson visited Monday will be spending their holidays in the hospital this year, and Thompson emphasized staying positive and using faith and positive energy to fight through difficult times. In addition, Thompson shared Season of Giving holiday bags for each child as well as autographed photos, courtesy of Kaiser Permanente.

“We are so unbelievably proud and honored to partner with the Warriors once again to improve the health of the communities we serve, particularly during the holiday season,” said Kaiser Permanente Vice President for External and Community Affairs Yvette Radford. “Having Klay come to visit our patients when they aren’t feeling well really brightens and lifts their spirits.”

This event is part of the Warriors Season of Giving community outreach initiative, as Warriors players and coaches participate in events this holiday season to brighten the lives of Bay Area youth and families.

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Klay Thompson Visits Youth Patients at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center

On Tuesday, December 15, Warriors Star Guard Stephen Curry granted the wishes of 14 youth affiliated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to spend a day with him. The young men, who travelled from as far as New York, Michigan, Florida and Texas to meet the back-to-back NBA MVP, started their visit that morning at the Warriors Practice Facility in downtown Oakland.

“I chose Stephen Curry as my Wish because I admire him and the Warriors are my favorite team in the NBA,” said 9-year-old Moises Padilla from Danville, IL. “Because of the Make-A-Wish Foundation I have a chance to be here and see the Warriors play.”

The 14 youth and their guardians had the opportunity to watch the Warriors morning shootaround from the upper-level balcony, having the perfect vantage point to watch the Bay Area’s team hone their skills across three full-length basketball courts. At the end of shootaround, the youth walked onto the court to meet the entire Warriors roster and coaching staff and joined them for their final huddle.

“It’s an amazing feeling to see your son as happy as [Antonio] was today,” said Amy Bernal, mother of 9-year old Antonio Lara. “Being able to watch the team’s practice and join the huddle was something he will never forget.”

The 14 excited young men then took a seat on the sideline as Curry performed his customary 3-point shooting routine to gasps and applause. Curry then met each of the youth, who suffer from life-threatening medical conditions, to share good wishes and appreciation for visiting him today.

“My son Khamari’s wish was to meet Stephen Curry, and through the Make-A-Wish Foundation he was able to meet him one-on-one and spend time together,” said 9-year-old Khamari Campbell’s father Terek Campbell. “This experience has been unexplainable because his dream really came true today. My son knows more about Stephen than anyone on earth, so to have him actually meet this down-to-earth role model is amazing.”

Curry then surprised each of the boys with gifts, including a duffel bag full of Under Armour gear, an Under Amour basketball and a large framed photo. Curry signed each of the items for the youth and hosted them for a free-throw shooting competition on the court.

“Seeing my son’s face is making me cry, because he is really happy to be here to meet his hero,” said Angelis Carrera-Lopez, the mother of Jenzell Carrera. “Stephen has been very social and happy to spend time playing with the kids; it’s obvious he is a great guy.”

Later that day, the families rejoined Curry at Oracle Arena, sitting courtside for shootaround as the team prepared to play the New York Knicks. The boys excitedly squirmed in their seats as Curry hit each three-pointer and grinned as a Warriors player stopped by to say hello to them.

“I’m here to see the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks, and I am so excited to be here because it is my dream to be at Oracle Arena,” said 7-year-old Jenzell Carerra. “Today is a dream come true because I never that it would happen.”

The youth and their families then enjoyed the game in the Oracle Zone in Section 121, cheering as the Warriors won 103-90. During the game, the families enjoyed snack boxes courtesy of Levy Cares. At the end of the night, Curry reflected on what it meant to him to host these young men on Warriors Ground.

“It was an amazing opportunity to fulfill the wishes of kids who were dealt a pretty tough hand,” said Curry. “I had a lot of support in making their days as special as possible, and hope they and their families had a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Curry’s Make-A-Wish grants were part of the Warriors Season of Giving community outreach initiative, as Warriors players and coaches host events throughout the months of November and December to brighten the lives of youth and families this holiday season.

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Stephen Curry Hosts 14 Youth From Make-A-Wish® America

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Photos: Steph Hosts 14 Youth From Make-A-Wish® America

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Photos: ABD Learning Without Limits at Cal Academy of Sciences

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Photos: #GladToGive Shopping Spree with JaVale McGee

Over the Thanksgiving holiday from November 22-29, the Warriors and Glad teamed up to recognize five exemplary Bay Area individuals who have embodied kindness and service to others through their community organizations. On Tuesday, November 29, the five #GladToGive heroes were rewarded for their generosity and impact with a $1,000 shopping spree at the Alameda Target location to shop for needed items for each of their organizations.

“Today we went on a shopping spree for supplies for our foundation,” said Silicon Valley Education Foundation Teacher Shannon Soza. “We purchased a printer and speakers for our office, construction paper and various art supplies to promote our organization’s professional development, so we feel really fortunate to be a part of this.”

Joining the group was Warriors center JaVale McGee, who surprised the #GladToGive heroes with custom jerseys and joined each of them in their shopping sprees. A photography buff, McGee advised the group on which cameras would be best and used his 7’0 frame to reach top-shelf furniture items from the Target aisles.

“I’m so excited to receive this Glad To Give honor because I really enjoy what I do for the East Oakland Youth Development Center,” said Adult Education and Career Coach Anana Scott. “It inspires me to see students receive a second chance at success and to see them move forward is my joy and privilege, and I thank the Warriors for making this moment possible.”

The #GladToGive heroes and organizations recognized were Scott [East Oakland Youth Development Center], Mario Valadez [Oakland Promise], Diana Hernandez [Covenant House], Charlotte Jones [Museum of Craft and Design] and Shannon Eagle [Silicon Valley Education Foundation]. McGee walked with the heroes as they excitedly shared their community work, and what these supplies will mean to their students and beneficiaries.

“It inspires me to see people who don’t have much, but still give so much to others,” said McGee. “Joining these five groups for a shopping spree and seeing them get what they wanted, not just what they needed, meant a lot to me.”

As the groups headed to the checkout register to bag their items, the #GladToGive Heroes shared hugs, photos and holiday wishes with McGee, and thanked everyone for their hand in making this shopping spree possible. Each #GladToGive Hero and his or her sponsor received Warriors Season of Giving holiday bags, courtesy of Glad.

“As a student, I’ve never had so much money and the opportunity to shop like this, I’m at a loss for words,” said Valadez. “I’m so grateful to JaVale and the Warriors organization for building a bond with me and giving back to the community on this scale.”

This event is part of the Warriors Season of Giving community outreach initiative, as each Warriors player will participate in at least one event this holiday season to brighten the lives of youth and families in the Bay Area.