'Tis the season: Magic spreading holiday cheer

Published Dec. 17, 2010 6:46 p.m. ET

foxsports

By SAM
GARDNER
FOXSportsFlorida.com Magic
Writer

The Magic hosted a holiday party for 55 families from the New Image Youth Center on Friday at the Amway Center.

The players, coaches and basketball operations staff spent time with the families doing arts and crafts, shooting basketballs, face painting and distributing gifts. The event was entirely funded by the Orlando Magic players.

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said he'd rather see money put to use that way than to have a team Christmas party and gift exchange.

"I've been places where you get together as a team and have a Christmas party -- like we really need to spend more time together, No. 1," he said. "And No. 2, you're buying gifts for each other. It's like people who have everything buying gifts for people who have everything. I like this."

Van Gundy credited Magic general manager Otis Smith with the idea for Friday's party.

"Otis has had a number of good ideas in a lot of ways, but as far as this, this to me is fantastic," Van Gundy said.

The Magic have held a number of holiday-themed events recently and have more scheduled for the coming days.

Before the team went on their recent road trip, Brandon Bass spent time visiting with patients at the Florida Hospital for Children in Orlando, and Chris Duhon and Jameer Nelson each held shopping sprees earlier this week.

Next week, Dwight Howard, J.J. Redick, Ryan Anderson and Brandon Bass are scheduled to host shopping sprees, while Rashard Lewis will be hosting a holiday meal at the Ronald McDonald House.

"You're giving money to people in need who really appreciate it and makes their holidays a lot brighter," Van Gundy said. "I think we enjoy it more than they do. I know I do."

Be sure to follow @FSMagic
on Twitter for Magic news, analysis and more all season
long!