News and Features

Sixers host holiday party for local children

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Philadelphia 76ers players Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams joined Ambassador of 76ers Basketball World B. Free, Hip-Hop and the Sixers Dancers to host a holiday party for 76 local children on Tuesday night at Dave & Buster’s in Philadelphia.

“It’s a beautiful thing to be out here today. You look at these kids, you look in their eyes and to see they’re surprised faces, it’s great,” Free said. “For them to see actual NBA players step out here: Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young and Louis Williams, it’s like a dream come true for some of them.”

The scene was decked in holiday decorations including a stage with an array of presents, a Christmas tree with lights and red ribbons, and a white snowman balloon.

The kids were spread throughout the showroom with seats at ten different tables featuring Dave and Buster’s blue and orange basketballs for every kid and their parents.

Brand, Young and Williams were a special holiday surprise for children as they offered words of thanks and holiday greetings to the children prior to a warm meal for the children and their families.

“We do this day in and day out, talk to fans, kids and their parents, and we just try to go out more into the community and I think it’s great we were able to have a Christmas party for these kids,” Young said.

Following dinner kids took pictures, decorated their own cookies and ornaments, got autographs from their favorite Sixers players, Hip-Hop, and the Dancers, then were treated to a special visit by Santa Claus.

“It’s a lot of fun; it’s always a joy to visit with kids during the holiday season,” Brand said. “The kids’ faces light up when they see the team and to see their gifts, make cookies and have a good time. It’s always a great time especially during the holiday season,.”

Throughout the night kids were able to get into the holiday spirit by singing carols, playing games and receiving gifts.

“It’s especially important this time of year to try and get out to as many kids as we can to stress the importance of togetherness with the holiday spirit so it’s just fun to get out here, mingle with them, make cookies and just have a good times,” Williams said.

At the end of the night everyone left happy to have shared a sense of togetherness that Free asked for at the beginning of the night.

“I’ve been working for the Sixers for the past 13 years and even before I started working for the organization I always knew it was a close knit organization and they have always been about the people. They not only try to bring fans to the games, they give a whole lot. It’s a wonderful thing,” Free said.