National Basketball Association

Magic players, coaches and staff give thanks this holiday

Published Nov. 27, 2014 2:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

ORLANDO -- In what has become a heart-warming 22-year tradition and reflects "the core of who we are as an organization and what we're all about," the Orlando Magic teamed with the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida on Thursday to put warm food in bellies and smiles on kids' faces.

This, Magic GM Rob Hennigan and Head Coach Jacque Vaughn said as they dished out food in an assembly line, is the very definition of Thanksgiving. It's about not only being thankful for what you have, but also being willing to give to those most in need. That is something that the Magic organization truly embodies, and Hennigan and Vaughn said that there was no place they'd rather have been on Thanksgiving morning than at the shelter assisting those who needed their help.

"At the core of who we are as an organization and what we're all about is being someone who reaches out to those in need and gives back to the community," Hennigan said in between scooping food onto plates. "That's something that will always be top-of-the-order for our organization."

Added Vaughn: "We're within walking distance of our arena and to be able to start our Thanksgiving morning off by helping another individual, it's a reflection of what this organization is about and where we want to be going forward. It's a thankful day and it's a good time for us to stop and realize that just when we think life's bad, it's not so bad. There are a lot of faces out here that you see on an everyday basis and they need our help."

The Magic did plenty of helping on Thursday as they teamed with the Coalition for the Homeless and Levy Restaurants to feed and entertain more than 700 homeless men, women and children. Approximately 125 Magic staffers served a breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, gravy biscuits and juices and coffee to people who lined up out the door and around the street corner at the Coalition's new dining hall.

And the morning of giving didn't stop there as the Magic Dancers and STUFF worked a carnival for kids, Paul Mitchell The School provided free haircuts and 104.5 The Beat played music for those in attendance.

The event was just another effort by the Magic in the fight to end homelessness in the Central Florida area. In the last four years, the Magic have given $5 million to homeless causes and they continue to be leaders in making a difference in the Central Florida community. The Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation fund since 1994, has given approximately $18.8 million in 24 years to organizations that work with at-risk children, and Magic employees contributed more than 7,000 hours in community service last year.

"I say all of the time that this is the best part of our jobs â getting to give back and put smiles on people's faces," Magic Executive Vice President/Chief Revenue Officer Charlie Freeman said.

"That's what we're all about as an organization â delivering legendary moments on and off the court. This is just a small token in what can do in fighting homelessness and some of the issues that we face here in Central Florida. Especially getting to do work here in our home district, close to the Amway Center, we're thankful for what we have and how we can help others."

Magic guard Willie Green not only got involved in serving meals, posing for pictures and signing autographs on Thursday morning, but he also brought along his entire family to assist in the giving-back efforts. Serving as a role model and assisting those in need has been a hallmark of Green's 12-year NBA career and he said doing what he could to help on Thanksgiving was especially important to him.

"This (homelessness issue) is real life. Basketball is secondary and as much as we love it, it's just a game. But this is real life and there are people out here who don't have a hot meal or a place to go home to," Green said. "So on this special day, let's give back and give credit to all of the volunteers for being here and serving those who need it most."

Brent Trotter, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, said his organization wouldn't be able to offer as much assistance as it does without the help from partners such as the Magic. The Coalition has provided food, shelter, housing options, education, support services and case management to 4,000 individuals in the last year. Of the nearly 300,000 meals served and 444 families helped, 20 percent are children 8 years old or younger.

"It's not just the guy on the street corner; it's families who are in need. Look across this room and you will see a lot of families with small kids who are in need," Trotter said as a nearby saxophonist played holiday tunes and there was a happy vibe in the air. "These folks are getting to celebrate Thanksgiving today and being given the opportunity to be thankful because of the generosity of others."

One such family was Dashawn Thompson and Shernice Arroyo, who brought along their children 2-year-old son Jovani and 7-month-old daughter Aaliyah. Thompson, 23, and Arroyo, 21, recently moved to Orlando from New York and have been receiving assistance from the Coalition while looking for work. Thompson said that Thursday's breakfast and carnival helped to put joy into the hearts of his family.

"An event like this gives us time to relax and sort of eases our minds from the stressful times that we have in our lives," Thompson said. "This takes a load off the parents and it's so nice getting to see the kids enjoy themselves as well."

The Magic have played the NBA's toughest schedule so far, leading the league in both games played (17) and road games (10). And the team was scheduled to leave town later on Thanksgiving night for a 10-day, six-game road trip. Still, Green and all of the coaching staff devoted their time on Thursday to help bring others happiness.

"It's great for them to take time out of their day to help out," Vaughn said. "We talk all of the time about wins and losses, but there is a real life component here that we need to be appreciative of also."

Trotter said the Central Florida's largest homeless coalition couldn't be more appreciative of the Magic's help and their true commitment to making a difference in the community.

"Thanksgiving morning is a huge tradition with us and the Orlando Magic. It is heartwarming to see so many people give up their time and give up a day that is usually reserved for families and sacrifice so that they can give back to a community that is in desperate need," Trotter said. "Doing this for 22 years is a good solid history of saying just how much the Magic give back to their community.

"The Magic are not someone who just walks through the community and talks about partnership. They practice it," Trotter continued. "For years, the Magic have been a great partner and a friend of ours and they've been engaged in the issue of homelessness for that. And when I say engaged, it's not just them sending a few volunteers to help; I'm talking about volunteers on ownership levels, leadership levels and so many staffers. The DeVos family has been so generous to our coalition through the years. There's an organizational culture of giving back with the Magic and we're glad to be able to work with them."