As things start to feel a bit more normal amid the pandemic, the Washington Wizards and athletes from the Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go and Wizards District Gaming hosted their first community event since Covid-19 halted in-person interaction.
The Wizards’ Thankful Meals event provided essential holiday items to less fortunate residents in southeast Washington, DC. Community members arrived eager to pick up their goodies and take pictures with Wizards players as the team is currently off to their best start since 1975.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder and CEO Ted Leonsis made a financial contribution to support the outreach. In addition to a hot meal from Henry’s Soul Café, the first 500 guests received a turkey courtesy of Bradley Beal. He was also assisted by student athletes from the Ron Brown College Preparatory High School.
Participants also received items to keep warm such as gloves, socks and beanies courtesy of Thomas Bryant, hygiene kits courtesy of Aaron Holiday and his wife Ashli as well as special treats courtesy of Kyle Kuzma and Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats. Many local businesses participated including AlphaLit DC, Cocktails by Cryssy Morel’s Exquisite Designs, Kakes by Kimberley and Southwest Soda Pop Shop.
The following other members of the Wizards were in attendance to help distribute meals: Tommy Sheppard, Wes and Evelyn Unseld, Deni Avdija, and Cassius Winston.
Additional attendees from Monumental Sports included: Alysha Clark (Washington Mystics), Jordan Goodwin (Capital City Go-Go), Amber Nichols (Capital City Go-Go), Mike Williams (Capital City Go-Go), Patrick Crossan (Wizards District Gaming), Andrew McNeill (District Gaming) and JustAwkward (District Gaming).