It's Dec. 14 on the top floor of the Buckhead Club. Fifteen families have all gathered for a good meal and a night of suprises. But they weren't typical families. They shared something special, something that gave them a common bond. Each family had participated in Bert's Big Adventure at one point in the past 15 years.
During the celebration, kids chowed down on sliders, flatbread pizza, and chicken fingers and french fries—the most popular dish by far. That was the meal. Then came the sursprise. Popular radio host Bert Weiss and founder of Bert's Big Adventure stood up with a microphone and excitedly said, "You all have no idea what's going on!"
Moments later, the 5-foot, 4-inch tall Weiss was surrounded by the likes of modern-day giants. First there was 6-foot, 7-inch tall Kyle Korver and by his side stood 6-foot, 11-inch tall Dwight Howard, plus 10 other Atlanta Hawks players.
“I’m so glad that we’re finally in the same room together because so many times people spot me and ask me if I’m Dwight Howard,” Weiss said jokingly before attempting to jump and high-five Howard.
But this wasn’t the only surprise in store. The back wall then opened up to reveal more than 1,100 Christmas presents for the children and their families.
This was the "Surprise and Delight," an event held by the Atlanta Hawks as part of the annual NBA Cares Season of Giving where players of NBA and NBA D-League teams host charity events throughout November and December.
The Atlanta Hawks partnered with Bert’s charity this year for their 2016 Season of Giving initative. This event also doubled as a 15-year anniversary for Bert’s Big Adventure, a nonprofit that provides all-expenses-paid, five-day trips to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families. At this celebration, a family from each year was represented.
“The Hawks didn’t just want to tell you guys that they love you,” Weiss said. “They wanted to show you how much they care about Bert’s Big Adventure and how much they care about you guys.”
And for roughly 30 minutes or so, players walked around giving presents, signing basketballs, and interacting with the families and kids.
“This is a wonderful experience that we want to be able to share with you guys,” Howard said. “Christmas is very important to all of us. Family is very important to all of us, and you guys are very important. Tonight is all about you.”
Howard was one of the busiest players, as he bounced from doing a Facebook Live interview for the Hawks to singing "Let It Go" from the hit Disney film "Frozen" while giving an Elsa doll to a very delighted Lily Pleitez.
10-year-old Lily has Apert Syndrome, a rare generic disorder that can malform the skull, face and hands. It also disrupts normal growth patterns, causing children to have high, prominent foreheads, flat or concave faces, and broadly spaced eyes. She was the representative from the 2015 program.
"When (my ex-wife) Stacey and I started Bert's Big Adventure 15 years ago, we had no idea it would evolve into the organization that it has become," Weiss said.
To qualify for the program, children must be between the ages of five and 12, prove financial need and must never have been to Walt Disney World. They must also live in “The Bert Show” radio listening area, which is the radio show hosted by Weiss.
"The Atlanta Hawks have been phenomenal to Bert's Big Adventure across the board," Weiss said. "Whenever we call (Atlanta Hawks CEO) Steve Koonin…and we ask him for a favor, usually he says, 'Oh we can do more than that.'"
From the ecstatic look on the children’s faces and the tears of presumed joy from many of the parents, it seems that the “Surprise and Delight” event did exactly that.
ATLANTA HAWKS PLAYERS AND THEIR CAUSES
Individual Atlanta Hawks players also have their own philanthropic endeavors for the holiday season. Here’s a rundown of six players who hosted events or drives for charity throughout December.
Mike Muscala
On Dec. 12, Muscala hosted a “Pay-away the Layaway” event for the second consecutive year at the Toys”R”Us in Akers Mill Square, where he covered the remaining balance on their holiday layaway.
“Just to see their smiling faces…to represent the Hawks—it’s more than just basketball,” Muscala said.
Kyle Korver
Korver is hosting a "Sock It Forward" drive to benefit the Atlanta Mission through Dec. 30.
“We did a coat drive in Philadelphia, but Atlanta’s not nearly as cold,” Korver said. “So when I came to Atlanta, we had to figure out what’s the need.”
Sock collection bins are present at Philips Arena for fans to donate new socks, with bins placed at various entrances including the CNN Center’s entrance, the arena’s MARTA entrance and Centennial Olympic Park’s entrance. Also, for every pair of socks purchased at the Hawks Shop in Philips Arena through Dec. 30, a new pair will be donated to the Atlanta Mission.
Dwight Howard
On Dec. 11, Howard hosted his "3-Point Santa Project" for 50 Atlanta children from a local Boys & Girls Club. He partnered with Target, Dillard's and the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation to provide books, necessities and gifts for the children.
“I really want to help the kids in the community and with their literacy,” Howard said. “I think it’s very important to teach our kids to read and make it fun.”
Paul Millsap
On Dec. 12, Millsap visited Hollis Innovation Academy to surprise students who have earned the Hollis Heroes award for exhibiting positive behavior and attendance.
Kris Humphries
On Dec. 13, Humphries hosted families from Hope Atlanta when the team played the Orlando Magic. The families were allowed to watch the team warm up, enjoy dinner in a suite and receive gifts from Humphries after the game.
Kent Bazemore
On Dec. 20, Bazemore and his ARMS Foundation adpoted families from the newly formed Tuskegee Airman Academy that serves children with great needs, and he provided gifts and appliances for children and their families.
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