On Monday, the Washington Wizards continued their 12 Days of Holiday Cheer as Darius Songaila hosted 150 families for the Wizards Care Military Movie Night. The event is the second time the Wizards have held a movie night for military personnel with last year Antawn Jamison hosting the inaugural event.

"Today is our third day of the Wizards 12 Days of Holiday Cheer," said Candyce Jones, community relations coordinator. "Darius Songaila, his wife Jacquelyn, his mother, and his daughter Meile are hosting an advanced movie screening of "Hotel for Dogs". The event is for military families. We have wounded soldiers, active personnel, and military medical staff that are here with their families. We are continuing our efforts to spread holiday cheer by giving everyone time to sit back with their families and enjoy a good movie, a popcorn and a soda."

The event kicked off at 5:30 p.m. as the Military families were warmly welcomed as they entered Regal Cinemas at Gallery Place by several members of the Wizard Girls, Fan Patrol and everyone's favorite mascot G-Wiz. There the families had the opportunities to take pictures with several key cogs of the Wizards Game Night Entertainment. After entering their seats, the military members and their families received a free bag of popcorn and a soda and were given the opportunity to take pictures and receive autographs from Darius Songaila

"It is the holidays and the giving season, so it is always nice to give back to families that help us," said Songaila. "It is nice that it is a movie because for me that is always family time. This is just a little more time that these people can spend with their families around the holidays."

For many of the families in attendance spending the holidays isn't necessarily always an option. Last year, Specialist Michael Evans was in Iraq on duty, and missed Christmas and Thanksgiving with his family. Having missed the holidays last year due to duty, Evans jumped at the opportunity to spend some extra time with his son when he was invited to the event.

"I was very excited when I heard I was going to be able to attend this event. My kids are excited and they have been pretty much waiting all day. I spent a year in Iraq and I know what it is like to be away from your family for the holidays. So it is good to spend the time with your family when you can, especially with my son who

is three years old. That bonding and father-son time is very special for both of us."

Songaila knows the feeling of missing his family around the holiday season as well. The Wizards will play in Cleveland on Christmas Day this year and played on Thanksgiving against Orlando at home. Monday was an opportunity to do one of his favorite things with his daughter; go to the movies, and as usual watch a movie that Meile would enjoy.

"Anytime I go to a movie it is usually a kids movie," said Songaila. "I just saw "Bolt" with my daughter and I've seen all the recent cartoon movies. So when I told my daughter we were going to see this she was really excited because this is not even out yet in theatres."

The Wizards will continue their 12 Days of Holiday Cheer throughout the week with events on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. In total, the 12 events will take place between Dec. 4- Dec. 20, and have been designated to help provide assistance to the youth, homeless and underserved in the D.C. metropolitan area.