On Saturday, July 31, Delivering Good, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation and Martha’s Table joined to provide Washington, DC kids with back-to-school supplies and more, reaching 4,600 children from 1,623 families.
To celebrate the excitement of returning to in-person learning for students, the three partner nonprofits created a day of fun activities. DJs provided live music and stilt-walkers and jugglers added to the festival atmosphere. Players from the Washington Wizards and Mystics, Wizards Dancers, and team mascots G-Wiz, Pax and Slapshot were also on hand.
“I was working alongside a local volunteer when something she said really struck a chord with me,” recalls Delivering Good President & CEO Lisa Gurwitch. “She was amazed at the size and scope of the event, the amount of new merchandise, the food and nutrition support, the COVID-19 vaccinations and more, saying it was like DC was ‘Overwhelmed with Good.’ Amid that happy crowd, it was the best description for the day.”
The idea for this event began when Delivering Good Board Member Sashi Brown, who is also Chief Planning & Operations Officer for Monumental Basketball, introduced the charity to the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation and Martha’s Table. The “Get Ready 4 School Giveaway” took place under the Pavilion at Gateway DC in the Anacostia community, which is also home to the basketball practice facilities of the NBA Wizards and WNBA Mystics. Martha’s Table estimated that over 6,000 guests and neighbors came through the event. By working together, the capacity of all three organizations to help the community was greatly increased.
Delivering Good provided families with new items thanks to the following product partners: American Eagle Outfitters, Bombas, Carter’s, Cool Riders, Design Nest, French Toast, Gerber Childrenswear, HanesBrands, Highlights, Jockey, Kidpik, Nina Kids, Soapbox Soaps, United Legwear & Apparel and Wacoal America.
Days before the event, Tanger Outlets National Harbor helped promote the giveaway by providing a $500 shopping spree to a family from Martha’s Table, accompanied by the Washington Mystics’ Shatori Walker-Kimbrough.
Six Delivering Good board members — Monica Bertran, Karen Bromley, Sashi Brown, Lisa Gurwitch, Charisse Ford Hughes and Carole Postal –worked alongside Delivering Good staff and volunteers, Martha’s Table volunteers from throughout the region, and volunteers from Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. Monica Bertran enlisted the help of her national sorority Zeta Phi Beta, who brought 40 volunteers to the event, including: Danielle May, Virginia State Director; Gina Merritt-Epps, Atlantic Regional Director; Kortnee Barnett, Eastern Region Chief of Staff; and Tamara Harris, Maryland State Director.
Please enjoy some photos from the event.
DG BOD members (from right) Carole Postal, Sashi Brown, Monica Bertran and Karen Bromley, with Lisa Gurwitch, and guests Karen Gray and Taylor Gray.
Washington Mystics players Natasha Cloud, Theresa Plaisance and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, with Lisa Gurwitch.
Christopher Wilson is Tanger Outlet’s Diversity Intern, who is also on loan to DG.
Washington Wizards new teammates Corey Kispert and Cassius Winston at the Get Ready 4 School Event.
Wizards Dancers (L to R) Mika Takahashi, Daniella Guarin and Nicole Franks.
Martha’s Table volunteers help people find the right sizes and styles.
Also in attendance, Charisse Ford Hughes (center) and her whole family.
Zeta Phi Beta sorority sisters volunteering.
The DG crew assist families choosing merchandise.
The Ballou High School Majestic Marching Knights provided some rousing entertainment.
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