Wizards
Care will be celebrating the season throughout the Washington,
DC, community with their annual 12 Days of Holiday Cheer.
The 12 events, which will take place between Dec. 4-
Dec. 20, have been designated to help provide assistance
to the youth, homeless and underserved in the D.C. metropolitan
area.
“Our efforts to help provide for those less
fortunate are extremely important to our team,”
said Wizards Chairman Abe Pollin. “I’m
very proud of our employees, players and coaching
staff for giving their time and resources to very
worthy causes, especially during the holiday season.
It is incumbent on all of us to make sure we look
out for those in need.”
A preview of the 12 events is listed below. More
details on various events will follow as they draw
near.
Day 1 – Thursday, December 4 – Seniors
Holiday Luncheon
The Wizards coaching staff, rookie JaVale McGee and
President Ernie Grunfeld were on hand to host 200
senior citizens for a holiday luncheon in the Acela
Club at Verizon Center. More: Photo Gallery
Day 2 – Saturday, December 6 – Wizards
of Oz
The Wizards Wives, in partnership with Allied Advertising,
hosted teen mothers and their children from MEI
Futures Academy Public Charter School and ladies of
the Ascending Girls Program for a performance of “The
Wizard of Oz” at the Warner Theater
Day 3 – Monday, December 8 – Military
Movie Night
Forward Darius Songaila and his family, in partnership
with Dreamworks Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies,
hosted wounded soldiers, families of deployed soldiers,
soldiers serving with their families and military
medical staff for an advanced screening of “Hotel
for Dogs” at Regal Cinemas at Gallery Place. More: Photo Gallery
Day 4 – Tuesday, December 9 – Thank You
For Your Service
As a token of appreciation, the Wizards will donate
tickets to that night’s game vs. the Detroit
Pistons to public safety workers (EMS, police and
firefighters)
Day 5 – Wednesday, December 10 – Family
to Family Delivery
Wizards players, coaches and front office personnel
delivered presents to seven underserved families. More: Photo Gallery
Day 6 - Thursday, December 11 – Antawn’s
Sole4Souls Shoe Drive
Forward Antawn Jamison, Adidas and Volkswagon encouraged
fans to donate gently-worn sneakers at that night’s
game vs. the Boston Celtics (donations went to the
Coalition for the Homeless of Washington, DC)
Day 7 – Saturday, December 13 – Amtrak
Trip to Philadelphia
Amtrak hosted a trip for 20 Boys and Girls Club
members to Philadelphia to watch the Wizards take
on the 76ers
Day 8 – Sunday, December 14 – Day of
Wellness
Wizards Wives hosted a spa day for young teens
to promote the importance of nurturing the mind, body
and soul and engaged special guests in dialogue
on issues such as self-esteem, peer pressure and character-building
Day 9 – Monday, December 15 – Haywood’s
Holiday Helping Hand
Center Brendan Haywood provided single mothers
with gift cards to local grocery stores and tickets
for their families to attend that night’s game
against the Indiana Pacers
Day 10 – Thursday, December 18 – Butler’s
Bike Gift
Forward Caron Butler donated 200 bicycles and
helmets to area children at Ferebee-Hope Community
School. More: Photo Gallery
Day 11 – Friday, December 19 – Holiday
Toyland Drive
Fans were encouraged to donate a toy (donations went to the Salvation Army) at that night’s game
vs. the Philadelphia 76ers
Day 12 – Saturday, December 20 – Gilbert’s
Christmas Dream
Guard Gilbert Arenas hosted a fun-filled day at
ESPN Zone for local homeless, orphan and foster care
children. More: Photo Gallery