On Thursday, Wizards Care hosted the second annual team fundraiser, "The Ballers Bowl" at Lucky Strike Lanes in Chinatown. The event provided season ticket holders and team sponsors the opportunity to meet with the Wizards players as well as the chance to bid on several pieces of Wizards memorabilia in a silent auction, with all proceeds going to the Capital Area Food Bank.

"It is a unique event. It is an event where players, sponsors, and planholders get to interact together," said Candyce Jones community relations coordinator. "Everybody is here for the same cause -- to raise money for the Capital Area Food Bank -- and we are trying to provide one million meals in the area via the Capital Area Food Bank. They are benefiting directly from all of the proceeds we get from this event, whether that is people purchasing our auction items or our $5 dollar raffle."

The event started at 6pm as the players, fans, sponsors, and local celebrities entered Lucky Strike Lanes through a red carpet entrance. The players were quickly joined at the lanes by the fans and started showing off their bowling skills.

"It's great. It is fun to be around your teammates and it gives us a chance to interact with our fans," said Nick Young. "Basically everyone from the Wizards' organization is here so it is a good time for all of us and it goes towards a great cause."

While most people associate Lucky Strike with bowling, the game of choice for several of the players on Thursday was pool. Caron Butler, who plays pool left-handed, knocked off Javaris Crittenton and Antawn Jamison, while two tables down Oleksiy Pecherov got the best of Mike James by beating him two out of three times in some fun-spirited, highly competitive matches.

"It is great to get to spend time with the fans and with all the Wizards people," said Oleksiy Pecherov. "It's also fun to be around your teammates and play pool with them. It is a really fun event."

While the competition was fierce between teammates, the players also had the opportunity to mix and mingle with the season ticket holders. In what has been a tough season for the Wizards, Andray Blatche was happy to give back to the loyal fan base.

"It is always fun to come out here and hang out with the fans and your teammates," said Blatche. "It is a fun place and a great atmosphere to thank the fans for all the support they've given us this season."

The event also brought out some local stars as Chris Horton, Kareem Moore, Byron Westbrook, Lorenzo Alexander, Chris Wilson, and Rocky McIntosh from the Redskins where in attendance along with Bryon Leftwich of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Darnell Docket of the Arizona Cardinals. Joining the professional athletes in attendance was Reality TV Star Omarosa from NBC's Apprentice, and local media celebrities, Julie Parker, Chris Miller, Ron Thompson, Phil Chenier, Steve Buckhantz, Dave Johnson, as well as the Wizards Game Night Host Autria and the Wizards Official DJ, Big Tigger.

Ballers Bowl is the start of a few big weeks for Wizards Care. On Saturday, Wizards Care will be hosting their second envelope night of the season. All fans in attendance will receive an envelope where they can make cash donations to Wizards Care Charities. Fans who donate $5 or more are entered into a drawing to win one of three prizes: Framed Caron Butler Autographed Authentic Jersey, a JaVale McGee Autographed Game-Worn Jersey, or 4 VIP Tickets to a future Wizards game and 2 High Five Kid Passes.

Following Envelope Assist Night, the Wizards will host the first-ever Wizards Care Telethon on April 8th during their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The telethon, which will be hosted by Comcast Sportsnet’s Chris Miller and Ron Thompson and Wizards Official DJ Big Tigger, will allow fans to call in and buy Wizards memorabilia to help reach the goal of providing one million meals to the Capital Area Food Bank this year.

Wizards Care is the community service program of the Washington Wizards. The entire organization--from team owners Irene and Abe Pollin to players, coaches and employees--is committed to investing time and resources to Wizards Care. By providing assistance to the youth, homeless and underserved in the D.C. metropolitan area, Wizards Care hopes to inspire others to do the same.

For more information on how the Wizards are giving back to the community please visit WizardsCare.com.