Steven Hunter’s Thanksgiving Gift

Amber Rish

Grizz and Steven Hunter with students from St. Patrick's Learning Center

Every year, before the start of each season, representatives from each department speak to all the players about the roles we play in the company.  This is called the Business of Basketball meeting.  This was my second year speaking to the guys and I was especially nervous because we just signed a certain All-Star and former NBA scoring champ to the team.  I won’t give names, but I’m sure you know who I am referring to.  I was literally shaking in my boots. I stood up and gave my speech, but of course, I’m thinking, “They have heard this all before.  They aren’t really listening to me.”

However, to my surprise, after the meeting I was approached by Grizz center Steven Hunter.  He walked up to me and said, “I really want to help some of the area kids for Thanksgiving.”  I couldn’t believe it.  They were listening to me and Steven proved it.  I was so thankful and very impressed with Steven’s charitable heart.

Steven wanted to provide Thanksgiving meals to inner city kids who made good grades.  I told him I knew the perfect school and they are literally located right in our backyard.  Steven purchased groceries for Thanksgiving for all of the students and their families who attend St. Patrick’s Learning Center.  The grocery bag was filled with cake and corn bread mix, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, corn, beef stew, and a whole chicken.  The total was about 200 grocery bags for 200 students.  On November 17, Steven and our mascot Grizz distributed the groceries to the kids and their parents.  The school officials were so grateful and so were the parents and students.