WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals partnered with JK Moving Services to go holiday shopping for 18 families adopted through the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Family-to-Family program at the Skyline Target on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Family-to-Family is an initiative that provides holiday cheer to underserved, deserving families in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Wives and girlfriends of Wizards and Capitals players and coaches shopped for 82 adults and children.
Participants included Bree Anderson, fiancée of Wizards forward Trevor Ariza, Patrice Cleary, wife of Wizards strength and conditioning coach Drew Cleary, April Dixon, girlfriend of Wizards forward Trevor Booker, Lauren Hilario, wife of Wizards center Nene, Eva Kodouskova, fiancée of Wizards forward Jan Vesely, Ilana Nunn Okafor, wife of Wizards center Emeka Okafor, Joni Sichting, wife of Wizards assistant coach Jerry Sichting, Courtney Webster, wife of forward Martell Webster and Kathy Wittman, wife of Wizards head coach Randy Wittman along with Monika Hybnerova, girlfriend of Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth and Karin Johansson, wife of Capitals assistant coach Calle Johansson.
“We each got a family and their wish list and were able to get them everything on their list,” said Karin Johansson. “There are a lot of families out there in need, and it was a lot of fun to help out.”
Children will receive clothing, educational items and toys, while the parents and guardians will receive clothing and household items along with gift cards.
“Especially during the holidays, if you think of all the kids and the families that are less fortunate than a lot of us, it’s nice to be able to give something back to them,” said Courtney Webster.
By the end of the day, one 35-foot JK Moving Services straight truck was filled with gifts. JK Moving Services is the official mover of both the Wizards and the Capitals and participated in the Family-to-Family program for the second-consecutive year by donating a truck and crew to load, transport and deliver the collected items.
“JK Moving Services is committed to supporting the needs of our community through outreach efforts like the Family-to-Family program,” said Charles Kuhn, CEO and President, JK Moving Services. “It is an honor to partner with the Wizards and Capitals to make the holidays a little brighter for these families.”
The trip marked the second year the Wizards and Capitals have joined forces to participate in the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Family-to-Family program.