Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, Martha’s Table and Delivering Good Host Get Ready 4 School Giveaway for Nearly 5,000 Children

Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, Martha’s Table and Delivering Good hosted the first Get Ready 4 School Giveaway at The Pavilion at Gateway DC in Ward 8 on July 31. The event provided nearly 2,000 D.C. families, including nearly 5,000 children, with new, free back-to-school clothing, uniforms, supplies and health and wellness services during a fun-filled day.

Washington Wizards players Daniel Gafford, Corey Kispert and Cassius Winston; Washington Mystics players Natasha Cloud, Theresa Plaisance and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough; Wizards Dancers; Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot; Wizards mascot G-Wiz; and Mystics mascot Pax all participated in the event, which utilized nearly 200 volunteers to ensure the day ran smoothly.

“We’ve got this strong commitment at Monumental Sports to be not only in Ward 8, but part of Ward 8, giving back and making the community better,” said Sashi Brown, Chief Planning & Operations Officer, Monumental Basketball. “We don’t want to just win basketball games, we want to uplift the city entirely.”

“We partnered with Martha’s Table and Delivering Good to help create a school event that would help serve the community we’re in,” said Monica Dixon, President, External Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer, Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Our practice facility is only a block away from here, this is the family that supports us, and it was wonderful to be able to help them start this school year with a great amount of supplies, clothing, backpacks and fresh food.”

“It was one of those things that we really wanted to do,” said Wizards District Gaming center Dayfri. “It’s always good to give back to the community, it gives you a better perspective in life.”

The event was made possible by the generous efforts of partners to Martha’s Table and Delivering Good, and through the financial support of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation – the charitable arm of the Washington Capitals, Wizards and Mystics. Martha’s Table recruited additional financial support from Boeing and EY, product donations from PepsiCo, direct shuttles from Congress Heights and Anacostia Metro to Gateway DC by DC Circulator, and additional support from District Department of Transportation and Ward 8 Health Council. Delivering Good offered families new items from product partners including American Eagle Outfitters, Bombas, Carter’s, Cool Riders, Design Nest, French Toast, Gerber Childrenswear, Hanes, Highlights, Jockey, Kidpik, Nina Kids, Soapbox Soaps, United Legwear & Apparel and Wacoal.

“Get Ready 4 School is a great example of how organizations can come together for large-scale social impact in D.C. At Martha’s Table, we are proud to stand alongside our neighbors and their families every day, ensuring they can thrive in their communities,” said Kim R. Ford, President & CEO, Martha’s Table. “We are grateful to organizations like Delivering Good and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation for their partnership and continued support.”

“This wonderful event began with the vision of Delivering Good’s Board Member Sashi Brown, who is also Chief Planning & Operations Officer for Monumental Basketball. He introduced Delivering Good to the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation and Martha’s Table,” said Lisa Gurwitch, President & CEO of Delivering Good, Inc. “By making these connections, the capacity of all three organizations to help the community was greatly increased.”

DJ Schemes and Little Bacon Bear from 93.9 WKYS provided musical entertainment, while the Ballou Marching Band performed live. Festival characters such as stilt-walkers and jugglers were also onsite to entertain the attendees.

“Sometimes it’s good to step back and do something to help people around us, it’s gratifying,” said JBM. “We have a great dynamic, whether if its 2K or outside, we trust and enjoy each other’s company”

In the week leading up to the Get Ready 4 School Giveaway, Mystics guard Walker Kimbrough shopped for back-to-school clothes with Martha’s Table parent Ra’Chelle Dennis, her three-year old son Noah and his classmate Rico during a shopping spree courtesy of Tanger Outlets National Harbor. The Mall graciously provided a $500 gift card for the family to be used at its stores.

About Martha’s Table
Martha’s Table is a local nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., with a mission to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities. Martha’s Table exists because every child, regardless of zip code, should have the opportunity to thrive. For 41 years, the organization has been working to increase access to quality education, health and wellness resources, and family supports. For more information and to get involved, please visit: https://marthastable.org/.

About Delivering Good

Delivering Good is a national nonprofit organization that strives to help create a more equitable world where people facing economic, medical, social and environmental challenges can have useful items needed to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential. For more information, please visit Delivering-Good.org and follow @DeliveringGood on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation

MSE Foundation is committed to making the region a better place for all by supporting game-changing solutions for our community. We fundraise, provide grants to nonprofits and rally Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s teams and fans to support and amplify the impact of community change agents. Together, we’re raising the game in the DMV. Learn more at: https://www.monumentalfoundation.org/