WASHINGTON, D.C. – Monumental Basketball and The Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation, along with athletes and staff from the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go, and Wizards District Gaming have partnered to host Thankful Meals presented by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a community outreach effort to serve residents in Wards 7 and 8.  

The following members of Monumental Basketball will be in attendance to help distribute hot meals and goods:

• John Thompson III (Sr. Vice President, Monumental Basketball)
• General Manager Will Dawkins (Washington Wizards)
• Head Coach Wes Unseld and Evelyn Unseld (Washington Wizards)
• Assistant Coach David Vanterpool (Washington Wizards)
• Kyle Kuzma (Washington Wizards)
• Tyus and Carrie Jones (Washington Wizards)
• Daniel and DaShaundra Gafford (Washington Wizards)
• Anthony and Jenna Gill (Washington Wizards)
• Bilal Coulibaly (Washington Wizards)
• Amber Nichols (General Manager, Capital City Go-Go) 
• Justin “Just Awkward” Howell (Wizards District Gaming)
• Andrew McNeill (Vice President, Esports - Wizards District Gaming)
• Pat Crosson (General Manager and Head Coach, Wizards District Gaming)  

 “CareFirst is thrilled to continue to support and advance health equity in the District. With Monumental Sports and Entertainment, we’re expanding on our community efforts by supplying individuals and families throughout Ward 8 with the necessary resources to live healthy, safe lives, especially during the holiday season,” said Kimberly Harris, Director of Community Health and Social Impact at CareFirst.

 DJ Tye, along with the Wizards and Mystics mascots, G-Wiz and Pax, will all be in attendance to support the event and provide entertainment. Officers from the 7^th District Police Department and representatives of council members from Ward 7 and Ward 8 will also assist with the event.

 Healthcare provider CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield will be on hand to distribute tissues, hand sanitizer, and other hygiene-based items for the fall and winter seasons. CareFirst along with GIANT Foods will also provide free and Flu Shots to Ward 7 and 8 residents.

 Monumental Basketball and the Kyle Kuzma Foundation will distribute the following: 

• Courtesy of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, those in attendance will take home a GIANT Food gift card, with MSE Foundation donating $25,000 worth of GIANT Food gift cards for the event
• Kyle Kuzma will help distribute 1,500 hot meals from Black-owned restaurant Henry’s Soul Café. Meals will include sliced turkey and gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese and a dinner roll or cornbread
• Gafford and his wife, DaShundra, will provide kids’ size gloves, socks, beanies and t-shirts
• Essential care packages will be distributed courtesy of Gill and his wife, Jenna
• Participants will receive bottled water and beverages courtesy of Jones and his wife, Carrie
• Those in attendance can pick up a coloring or reading book courtesy of Education Corner

Students, faculty, and staff of Eagle Academy along with families from Bright Beginnings Inc., Healthy Babies Project, and Alliance of Concerned Men, in addition to residents of Ward 7 and 8 communities, will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Many Black-owned businesses including Cocktails by Cryssy, Morel Exquisite Designs and AlphaLit DC have also made in-kind donations to the Thankful Meals community outreach.

Kuzma and Monumental Basketball players and staff will be available to the media from 2:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Media interested in covering the event need to RSVP at [email protected].