The Washington Wizards are spreading the holiday spirit across the DMV with their annual Season of Giving, a month-long collaborative outreach that includes youth and community engagement and supporting Southeast residents with Monumental Basketball’s “Thankful Meals” project,” held Nov. 20 at Martha’s Table at The Commons.
“It’s not just about the wins on the court, on the field, on the ice, but life is about touching as many people as you can,” said John Thompson III, senior vice president of Monumental Basketball.
Monumental Basketball, part of the larger Monumental Sports and Entertainment, includes the: Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go and Wizards District Gaming.
“We all are extremely fortunate…[and] have been afforded a lot of luxuries that people that live right here next to us don’t have, and so it’s our duty to do that,” Thompson III told The Informer.
Despite a rough start to the season, the Wizards’ commitment to community engagement and public service shone bright at Martha’s Table at The Commons. Athletes and staff partnered with Martha’s Table to giddily serve hot meals and bag non-perishable items for residents of Wards 7 and 8, in continuation of their Season of Giving community outreach.
“This is a reflection of what we believe as an organization, for sure,” said Corey Kispert, No. 24. “It’s up to us to work with these larger businesses and companies to help serve the underserved.”
In addition to fresh produce and a hot meal, booths like CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield were stationed in the outdoor patio of the “Thankful Meals” event for residents to learn more about community resources.
Jennifer Peters, who sat with a basket of pies, vegetables and other Thanksgiving goods, told The Informer that events like Thankful Meals are a benefit East of the River, and reflect the need for more communal outreach.
By the two-hour mark, the line for entry into Martha’s Table was down the street, and Thompson III called the giveaway “probably the largest turnout we’ve ever had.”
“Let’s start off by saying we can do so much more. I think that’s something that we all understand, and…this is a start for us,” said power forward Anthony Gill. “This is something that we can commit to every single year…[and] we want to show that we care for the community.”
Kispert, who danced with a “Thankful Meals” sign at a wellness kits booth, told The Informer that Season of Giving demonstrates as much of a desire to spread holiday cheer, as an opportunity to build an authentic relationship between D.C. residents and Washington’s sports teams. The small forward hopes to continue serving the community and uplifting the tradition that recognizes the needs of the District.
“We go in and out of this community every day, we practice down the street, and it’d be a mistake on our part to just use it for that and not give back,” Krispert said. “It’s a big responsibility, and we don’t take it lightly. The little bit that we’re trying to help out makes me more excited to do it in the future.”
