While the rest of the country will start celebrating Christmas a week from now, the Washington Wizards made the holiday season come early for four Washington, D.C. families yesterday when they held their annual Family to Family day. Wizards players and representatives from Washington Sports and Entertainment delivered toys, books, clothes, games, gift certificates and Sharp Aquos 20” televisions, donated by Sharp Electronics, to designated families in Washington, DC who need help with the holidays.

"Family to family started many years ago with Wes Unseld," said Judy Holland Burton, Senior Vice President of Community Relations. "He wanted to come up with a way that players could give back to other families and get all the families involved. Over the years that has evolved but basically it's the same principal. Our Verizon Center family helping families that are less fortunate."

Helping in the days festivities from the Verizon Center family were Washington Wizards President, Ernie Grunfeld, Vice President of Basketball Administration, Tommy Sheppard, Director of Player Development, Ed Tapscott, Wizards players DeShawn Stevenson, Brendan Haywood, Nick Young and Dominic McGuire who all teamed-up to donate money to the adopted families.

"It is a wonderful feeling to give back," said McGuire. "Everybody is not as fortunate as us, it's definitely a big deal to them and we are happy to do it."

The day began with the Wizards as well as several dance team members and G-Wiz visiting the Braxton Family in Northeast D.C. After receiving the gifts from the Wizards organization Mrs. Braxton took out a letter and spoke to the Wizards about what today meant to her and her family.

"I must first start off by saying to you all, thank you so much! Thank for you showing my children what it is like to be a real team. In our own everyday life I use the strategies of a team player to teach my children how to stick together.," said Braxton. "I often wish I could give more to my family and others. Being a single mother 24/7 makes things even harder. I am giving my kids a lot, love, time and knowledge with the help of you all their smiles this Christmas will be even brighter. Your work here is definitely appreciated and I wish you continued success in every and anything you all aim to accomplish."

"It's definitely great when you give back to somebody and you see how appreciative they are," said Haywood on the Braxton family's reaction. "That's what it is really all about, it is not about us, it is about them and trying to impact them and help them have a happy holiday."

Following the Braxton household the Wizards visited three more families carrying all sorts of gifts to fill each family's wish list.

"This to me is the best event that we have," said Sashia Jones, Senior Director of Community Relations. "You go out and get to do all this shopping for families and then you get to see the kids that you shopped for and their reaction when you bring the gifts into the house. I think this is one of Mr. Pollin's signature events and it is something we look forward to every year."

One player that seemed to have an especially good time was Wizards rookie, Nick Young. At every house Young would walk in with a smile on his face and let all in attendance know that "St. Nick" was here.

"This is a dream come true to people," said Young. "I know when I was little I wish I had someone like this come to my neighborhood. It's great to give to a family that really needs it."

Today's event was the 8th day in the Washington Wizards 12 Days of Holiday Cheer, a community relations campaign that promotes Holiday Cheer throughout the Washington, D.C. community.