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WALTHAM, Mass. – On Tuesday evening, in collaboration with NBA FIT Live Healthy Week, Celtics legend Dana Barros, former player Leon Powe, mascot Lucky and members of the Boston Celtics CommUNITY Crew presented by TD Bank hosted a skills clinic for Special Olympics Massachusetts.
As a proud sponsor of the Special Olympics, TD Bank mobilized volunteers from bank branches across the greater Boston area along with a few representatives from New Hampshire to captain drill stations.
The Special Olympics athletes arrived at the Celtics Practice Facility with much anticipation for the chance to work out on the replica parquet floor, just like a Celtics player.
After lacing up their sneakers and throwing on their very own Celtics practice jersey, the participants were broken up into various groups to run through drill stations.
Drills were aimed to instruct the athletes on new skills while also refining techniques they previously already learned.
“It is great to be volunteering out on the gym floor where I once played on striving for a championship,” reflected Powe. “Tonight serves as a reminder that being a Celtic is something bigger than basketball.”
The Celtics VIPs then huddled up with the athletes at the bleachers for a brief question-and-answer session that focused on an active lifestyle and proper nutrition.
“Take care of your body,” instructed Powe. “Everything we eat and drink fuels our bodies.”
Adding a few words of motivation, Barros touched on the amount of doubt he overcame to reach the NBA.
“Always believe in yourself,” said Barros, “and don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do something.”
The Celtics VIPs and TD Bank volunteers closed out the evening by sharing a nutritious meal with the participants to capitalize on the three pillars of NBA Fit Week – be active, eat healthy and play together!