OKC Thunder players demonstrate the meaning of Christmas

The OKC Thunder may not be playing on Christmas Day but they’ve made an impact in the community via various events spreading generosity and joy.

Happy Holidays Thunder Nation! As we all prepare to settle in for the NBA slate of games today although it won’t include your OKC Thunder that doesn’t mean the players aren’t top of mind.

In fact, over the course of the past few weeks, the players have delivered special gifts, attended events and spread joy throughout the community.

In case you missed the spreading of this cheer, here’s a sampling of the Thunder players’ generosity of time and gifts…

Distribute 1,000 Perishing Kits to the homeless:

The Thunder prepared 1,000 cold-weather kits to be distributed to the homeless. The team held a special event in partnership with Chesapeake Energy. Darius Bazley and Deonte Burton were on hand to help assemble the kits. Each package includes socks, hats, gloves, food items and essentials like toothpaste.

The Pershing Center also unveiled its new Pershing Center Theatre Room where residents will gather to watch a movie today and will be available for many more future screenings.

Chris Paul teaches ‘pay it forward’ lesson:

Broadcast Reporter & Digital Editor for the OKC Thunder, Nick Gallo offered up the details on an event that Chris Paul held at Target in conjunction with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

100 kids from the Big Brother, Big Sister organization were gifted $100.00 each from Chris Paul to spend however they wished. The pay it forward aspect was each child had to use part of the money to purchase something for another. Click the link above to read more on the event and the impact CP3 had on the kids.

Gallinari helps family of 12 with groceries:

Danilo Gallinari represented the Thunder as he met up with Jose Gonzalez who has 10 children and another on the way. The Gonzalez family knew they would be the recipients of the shopping gifted by the Thunder and Homeland but had no idea Gallo would be on hand to help them shop.

As the family filled shopping carts with groceries for Christmas dinner and to feed the kids who range in age from one to 13 the experience was made all the more enjoyable by Gallo’s presence.

OKC Thunder Digital Content Reporter Paris Lawson offers up the details and great images from the shopping event which was capped by Gallinari presenting Jose with an additional $500.00 to be used at a future shopping trip.

Muscala continues tradition he started in Atlanta:

When Mike Muscala was in Atlanta with the Hawks he began working with a National organization called Pay Away the Layaway.

This time he met 27 Moore residents at Burlington Coat Factory to pay off the items they had on layaway as a holiday gift.

Nick Gallo’s article provides the full details on Muscala’s generosity from the day.

OKC Thunder event in partnership with Citizens Caring for Children:

The children from twenty foster families got to meet the team and receive armfuls of gifts at this event.

Paris Lawson outlines the details of the event that all the players attended to hand out the gifts and interact with the kids. In addition to the gifts, everyone got tickets to a future game.

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This is just a sampling of how the OKC Thunder and their players spread joy throughout the community. Although the NBA is a leader in events of this nature there is something very intimate and touching about how the team and players interact with the members of the community and the special bond that exists between everyone.

Thunderous Intentions hopes you’re enjoying Christmas Day with family and friends and wish every a safe and happy holiday.