{"id":2591,"date":"2023-11-23T17:16:31","date_gmt":"2023-11-23T17:16:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/?p=2591"},"modified":"2024-02-22T03:47:10","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T03:47:10","slug":"kyle-kuzma-spreads-holiday-cheer-with-thankful-meals-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/23\/kyle-kuzma-spreads-holiday-cheer-with-thankful-meals-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyle Kuzma Spreads Holiday Cheer with Thankful Meals Event"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The holiday season marks that special stretch of the year where families come together to spend time with each other and fellowship over their favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. While the image is heartwarming to think about, the reality is not everyone is fortunate enough to have an abundance of food available, family in town or essentials to meet their daily needs. For that reason, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kylekuzmafamilyfoundation.com\">Kyle Kuzma Foundation<\/a> teamed up with Monumental Basketball and CareFirst Blue Cross BlueShield to present Thankful Meals at Eagle Academy in Southeast D.C. on Saturday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thankful Meals provided families in Wards 7 and 8 with hot meals and goods such as GIANT food gift cards, turkey dinners from Henry\u2019s Soul Cafe, care packages, coloring books, and more. Executing such an event could not be done alone. The Kyle Kuzma Foundation received a helping hand from the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go, and Wizards Gaming organizations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On-site to assist with distributing items to participants were a slew of familiar faces to include Wizards Head Coach Wes Unseld Jr. and General Manager Will Dawkins, Wizards players Tyus Jones, Anthony Gill, Bilal Coulibaly, Jared Butler, Eugene Omoruyi, and Mystics players Natasha Cloud and Tianna Hawkins to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt means a lot to be here and obviously having the Wizards support and my foundation,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/2022\/10\/27\/kyle-kuzma-embraces-new-leadership-role\/\">Kyle Kuzma<\/a> said. \u201cMy mother\u2019s here. A lot of my teammates and a lot of people from Monumental Sports are here so it means a lot.\u201d<br><br>\u201cSome people may not be able to afford Thanksgiving dinners or get cool little gifts,\u201d Kuzma continued. \u201cSometimes we forget about the little things in life. Especially for us as athletes and people with a platform. This is kind of what I come from too. Anything we can do to help is a blessing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Spoke to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kylekuzma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@kylekuzma<\/a> about the details of his foundation at the Thankful Meals event this afternoon which the foundation hosted along with Monumental Basketball to provide hot meals &amp; care packages to families in Wards 7 &amp; 8 in DC.  <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dbltakesports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@dbltakesports<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ForTheDistrict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ForTheDistrict<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HyBEi4aAcc\">pic.twitter.com\/HyBEi4aAcc<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CaritaCParks\/status\/1726042967465427013?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 19, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">As someone who can identify with families in need, Kyle Kuzma talked to me about what it means to him to now be in a position to give back. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ForTheDistrict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ForTheDistrict<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dbltakesports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@dbltakesports<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lJw8vhfNcz\">pic.twitter.com\/lJw8vhfNcz<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CaritaCParks\/status\/1726045283039986008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 19, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou can change someone\u2019s day, week, month,\u201d Tyus Jones added. \u201cThat\u2019s all we\u2019re trying to do. Even if it\u2019s a small impact, we want to have a positive impact on the community. That\u2019s what this time of year is about\u2026bringing good vibes, positivity, and giving back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Tyus Jones shares his perspective on giving back at Thankful Meals event\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dsgpv-fkGcc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>CareFirst, who frequently partners with Monumental Sports, was a key financial sponsor and supporter of the event. We spoke to CareFirst\u2019s Director of Community Health &amp; Social Impact Kimberly Harris about the partnership, their involvement in the event, and the importance of giving back to the community, especially Wards 7 and 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re so excited about Thankful Meals,\u201d Harris said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been partnering with Monumental Sports for two years working with nonprofit organizations. We\u2019re at Eagle Academy today providing and giving back to the community, specifically around the holiday\u2019s so we\u2019re giving more meals today, we\u2019re giving vaccines, we have hygiene kits, there\u2019s pies in there, we have sanitizers, and all other things to promote health and well-being throughout the holiday season but just overall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Thankful Meals 1:1 with Kimberly Harris from CareFirst\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-KbN_lSv9_A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other side of the coin, Thankful Meals was an opportunity for members of the community that may never step foot into Capital One Arena or the Entertainment and Sports Arena to interact with professional athletes. The joy permeating through the room was very palpable and impacted everyone involved. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More sights and sounds from Thankful Meals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A few snapshots from Monumental Basketball and the Kyle Kuzma Foundation\u2019s Thankful Meals event in D.C. on Saturday. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FortheDistrict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FortheDistrict<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IBaI7CmM0t\">pic.twitter.com\/IBaI7CmM0t<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Double Take Sports (@dbltakesports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dbltakesports\/status\/1726628530052813190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 20, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Natasha Cloud is always going to have a good time with the people! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ThankfulMeals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ThankfulMeals<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ForTheDistrict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ForTheDistrict<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FL4dvdMC0e\">pic.twitter.com\/FL4dvdMC0e<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Double Take Sports (@dbltakesports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dbltakesports\/status\/1726627164278370739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 20, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">More from Thankful Meals with the Kyle Kuzma Foundation. Anthony Gill and Coach Wes Unseld Jr. giving away essential items to participants.  <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FortheDistrict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FortheDistrict<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7surhuBK5O\">pic.twitter.com\/7surhuBK5O<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Double Take Sports (@dbltakesports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dbltakesports\/status\/1726626743589724455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 20, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">On this Thanksgiving morning, take a listen to Wizards point guard Tyus Jones as he shares with us what he is thankful for this holiday season. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/HappyThanksgiving?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#HappyThanksgiving<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NBA<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KjEbOK8rui\">pic.twitter.com\/KjEbOK8rui<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Double Take Sports (@dbltakesports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dbltakesports\/status\/1727708864693280920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 23, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Kyle Kuzma Foundation teamed up with Monumental Basketball and CareFirst Blue Cross BlueShield to present Thankful Meals for low-income families in communities near the team&#8217;s practice facility. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[70],"tags":[29],"class_list":["post-2591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wizards","tag-features"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Thankful-Meals.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2591"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2591\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2594,"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2591\/revisions\/2594"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbltakesports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}