Jazz Find Christmas Spirit During Season Of Giving
Dec 23, 2020, 11:50 AM
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz reacts after scoring a basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 5, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Christmas is the time for giving, and the Utah Jazz have channeled their inner Santa Claus this holiday season.
The Jazz players celebrated the ‘Season of Giving’ by donating time, money, and items to those in need both locally and across the country.
The ‘Season of Giving’ is an initiative of the NBA Cares program that aims to tackle important social issues in the United States and around the world.
Jazz Season of Giving
Donovan Mitchell Donates $12 million to Greenwich County Day School
Without comparison, the biggest donation came from Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. Shortly after signing his five-year, $193 million contract extension with the team, Mitchell donated a whopping $12 million to the Greenwich County Day School.
The donation will include scholarships for low-income students, funding for teachers, and money towards a new gymnasium.
.@spidadmitchell has pledged $12 million to the school that he attended from third grade to ninth grade. @gcdstigers #TakeNote https://t.co/FWlk01E0GZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 4, 2020
“We were talking about different ways to impact in our communities,” Mitchell said of the donation. “And for me, my biggest thing was education.”
Rudy Gobert Donates Toys and Clothes To Kids
Rudy Gobert also got into the Christmas spirit by donating toys and clothes to kids at Utah Community Action’s Operation Chimney Drop.
Gobert makes his donations through the Rudy’s Kids Foundation, a public non-profit foundation “dedicated to protecting, empowering, and improving the lives of kids.”
Rudy's Kids is proud to support @UTCommAction by donating over 3500 items including coats, winter boots, shoes and toys for children 0-18 years old.
Thank you for empowering children and families ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UQbmXfnSVv
— Rudy’s Kids (@RudysFoundation) December 14, 2020
Gobert has a long history of donations through the Rudy’s Kids Foundation, including last year when the All-Star center helped provide a Christmas for 25 families at the Zions Bank Basketball Center.
Mike Conley Makes Virtual Visit To Primary Children’s Hospital
Though the pandemic is still preventing in-person visits across the country, Jazz guard Mike Conley made time, and slime with children at the Primary Children’s Hospital.
The guard hosted a virtual event with the children to wish them a Happy Holiday while he made slime over the call.
Our annual visit with @primarychildren looked a little different this year 💚@MCONLEY10 made slime remotely with friends over zoom and was broadcast into rooms at the hospital. pic.twitter.com/sPZUa8feHt
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) December 22, 2020
Meanwhile, Derrick Favors read “Pete the Cat Saves Christmas” for the kids in a recorded video.
I just wanted to be able to do something for the kids,” Conley said. “Or for anybody who just needed a change of pace.”
Georges Niang’s Big Heart
Georges Niang showed off his compassion by making a donation to the American Heart Association.
The Jazz forward teamed with the Jazz Bear to raise $160,000 for the foundation.
"Be the difference for someone you love."@GeorgesNiang20 has teamed up with @AHAUtah to share some CPR tips that could help save a life ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZKcWZeWuDX
— Utah Jazz Doing Good (@JazzDoingGood) September 17, 2020
Niang has previously teamed with the American Heart Association to offering life-saving tips to those suffering from heart emergencies.
Renae Ingles Donates Toys
Renae Ingles, wife of Jazz guard Joe Ingles made a special donation to the Larry H. Miller Driven to Celebrate Food and Toy Drive.
Ingles delivered the gifts by hand out of the back of her trunk at Vivint Arena and made an online contribution to Utah Food Bank.
Renae donating some toys at @vivintarena this morning ❤️
Donations of toys and food (including monetary donations to be matched by the Miller family) are being taken through Friday at @megaplextheatres, 14 @lhmauto dealerships, Vivint Arena & @SmithsBallpark.#DrivenToCelebrate pic.twitter.com/99npeT5dpD
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) December 8, 2020
Jazz minority owner Gail Miller and her family are matching all monetary donations to the Utah Food Bank up to $100,000 through the end of December.
Find more examples of the Jazz and the NBA’s generosity here.
