The Houston Rockets hosted the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston at their game on Dec. 17.

The Houston Rockets recently played the Portland Trail Blazers. The game itself was a loss, as Portland emerged triumphant behind Damian Lillard’s 25 points and 10 assists. But the Rockets recorded a victory at the Toyota Center that night.

Amidst the night of NBA action, the Rockets hosted a holiday party for kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston. Approximately 50 kids and Boys and Girls Club staff members had their own suite at the Toyota Center to hang out, enjoy the game and find a few presents placed with care.

The Rockets, clad in red and white and imbued with the spirit of the holidays, had received the kids’ wish lists ahead of time and were able to have the gifts they requested ready for them.

The kids received specialized presents from the wish lists they created and sent to the Rockets.

“I love seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids,” said Sarah Joseph, Rockets vice president of community and events. “The night is all about them so they feel special.”

Some of the other festivities for the kids included designing holiday cookies, getting drawn by a caricature artist, receiving specialized gifts, and of course, supporting the Rockets from the comfort of their suite.

Joseph said it was a particularly special event for the team because they had not been able to host an in-person group for the holidays since the beginning of the pandemic.

“Many of the children that we support through programs like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston have very difficult lives,” Joseph said. “But when they step into the suite and see the gifts, Santa Clutch, all the festivities, they forget about the hardships they are facing. The kids have a great time cheering on the Rockets and spending time with their friends.”

A caricature artist was on site, giving kids personal pieces of memorabilia to walk away with.

Joseph served on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston’s board for more than 20 years and is extremely familiar with the impact they are making every single day, noting that it’s always a pleasure for the Houston Rockets to work together with them.

The Boys and Girls Club of Houston has a history of impact, having been open since 1952. Over the years, the club has expanded to 24 locations in the Greater Houston area, offering support for over 35,000 youths aged 6-17 each year.

At the holiday party, kids were able to design and enjoy holiday cookies.

“At our clubs, youth are provided meals, strong role models, homework assistance, organized athletics, character development and access to the arts. At our clubs, there’s an opportunity for every kid to get involved and learn something new,” officials with the Boys & Girls Club said on its website.

It’s a worthy mission, creating tangible impacts across the community.