The Washington Wizards will celebrate their annual Season of Giving outreach presented by Ticketmaster throughout November and December.
This initiative will include a variety of activities led by Wizards players, coaches and staff in the DMV area.
‘For the District’ Food Drive and Meal Pack
The Wizards will tip off the Season of Giving by hosting the 2024 Washington Wizards “For the District” food drive and meal pack presented by Giant. From Nov. 1-22, the team will hold a food drive at Capital One Arena.
Those who wish to participate can donate non-perishable canned food items at all Wizards home games during that span. Donation bins will be located at the F Street entrances of Capital One Arena.
All food donated will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.
Additionally, on Dec. 13, Wizards staff, community and corporate partners, as well as Wizards alumni and current team representatives, will help sort and pack food meal boxes at the Capital Area Food Bank, including items collected during the food drive at Capital One Arena to support those in need in the D.C. area.
Monumental Basketball’s Thankful Meals
Monumental Basketball, in collaboration with athletes and staff from the Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go, Wizards District Gaming, and Martha’s Table, will host Thankful Meals presented by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield on November 20 at Martha’s Table’s at The Commons location in Ward 8.
This community outreach will serve residents in Wards 7 and 8 by providing essential resources, connecting the community, and fostering a sense of togetherness. Residents are welcome to stop by Martha’s Table at The Commons on 2375 Elvans Rd SE from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. and take part in Martha’s Table lobby market, a food pantry that provides fresh produce and non-perishable items to those in need.
Additionally, Monumental Basketball athletes and staff will help distribute a hot meal to those in attendance and participate in a read along. CareFirst will be on-site to provide beneficial information on community resources and Giant Food will distribute 550 turkeys and seasonal pies for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Turkeys are on a first-come, first-served basis. Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation will also be donating $25,000 in Giant Food gift cards.
Further details on the Thankful Meals initiative at Martha’s Table at The Commons will be released in the coming days.
Surprise Elementary School Visit
To celebrate the holiday season, the Wizards will make a surprise visit to a D.C.-area elementary school on Dec. 12. The team will provide a pizza lunch to PK3 to 5th grade students.
Players and coaches will also distribute gifts to students. The Wizards Dancers, G Wiz and Wizards alumni will also all be on-site to energize the students and spread holiday cheer.
Information about the school will be shared with the media later.
Mothers & Children Holiday Gifting
On Dec. 18, the Wizards will partner with Mamatoto Village to host the “Mothers & Children Holiday Gifting” event at Mamatoto Village Offices in Northeast. This event aims to help ease the financial burden many mothers face during the holiday season.
The Wizards will provide gifts and resources while spreading joy and holiday cheer to D.C.-area mothers in need. Mamatoto Village is dedicated to serving Black women by creating career pathways in maternal health and provide accessible perinatal support services.
Their programs are designed to equip women with the necessary tools and skills to make the most informed decision with maternity care, parenting and their lives.
Evening of Thanks and Recognition
To recognize the many organizations that have made lasting impacts on the lives of residents throughout the DMV, the Wizards will hold a special reception on Dec. 19 at the Henry Benson D.C. gallery next to Capital One Arena. The event will honor and thank 50 nonprofit organizations from the D.C. metropolitan area for their hard work and contributions to the community.
Attendees will also receive tickets to attend that evening’s Wizards-Hornets game. “Harry Benson: Washington DC Iconic Photographs for The Nation’s Capital” presented by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Ted and Lynn Leonsis, and Jeff Skoll, and produced by Ted Leonsis and Jeff Skoll, is a new captivating exhibit showcasing over 150 photographs by legendary photojournalist Harry Benson.
Benson was renowned for his chronicling of culture, politics, music, movies, television, sports through the 20th and 21st centuries. This free and open to the public exhibit features photographs of every president since Dwight Eisenhower along with iconic athletes and musicians such as Muhammad Ali and The Beatles.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation’s Family-to-Family
Wizards players, coaches and staff, along with Monumental Basketball staff, will spread holiday cheer and impact the lives of families within our community this season by participating in Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation’s annual Family-to-Family holiday event. The foundation will partner with Martha’s Table to help fulfill the holiday wishes of families in the DMV area.
