Trail Blazers Press Release

2010 Hoops And Heart

10/25/10

  1. Written by: make it better  / avg. rating: 5.0



    On October 23rd, 500 of the Trail Blazers closest friends gathered together at the team’s practice facility. Guest arrived ready to spend an evening with the team celebrating all things basketball and community while lending an assist to children and families in our community at the 2nd annual Hoops & Heart Gala benefiting make it better.

    For one evening, the gym that hosts the NBA team’s practices was transformed into a place to see and be seen. Guests, players, alumni and coaches showed up dressed to impress. From broadcasting rookie Terry Porter to the 2010-2011 rookies Luke Babbitt, Armon Johnson and Elliot Williams, the Trail Blazers family was out in full force. There was plenty of time and opportunity to celebrate. With a silent auction, photo booth, and tours of the training facilities and locker room, there was much to see and do before the program had even begun.  

    The event was tipped off with a special performance from Trail Blazers community partner Self Enhancement, Inc.’s youth choir. As the event progressed, guests were given an opportunity to hear from all-star Brandon Roy, head coach Nate McMillan, and other team representatives about their passion for doing good work in the community.  Guests also heard speakers from three of the seven inaugural make it better grant recipient organizations (Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, Open Meadow, and FIRST Robotics Team Competitions) share stories of the work they have done and the work they’ll be able to do in the future thanks to the generosity of donors.

    The live auction featured some enticing options, including an opportunity to attend an away game in Miami (on the team plane, thanks to a last minute adjustment from General Manager Rich Cho). The hottest item of the evening, however, was the rookie package.  Thanks to some “encouragement” from the veterans on the team, Trail Blazers rookies Armon Johnson and Elliot Williams took the stage to offer up personal car washing and detailing services as the last live auction item of the night. The item was so hot, in fact, that it ignited a bidding war between team president Larry Miller, star players Brandon Roy, Andre Miller and Nic Batum, and Trail Blazers alumni ambassador Brian Grant.  In the end, Trail Blazers auctioneer Tom Fletcher was forced to call it a tie. Someday soon, Elliot and Armon will be serving a double shift, washing cars for both Brandon Roy and Brian Grant.

    As we close the books on the 2nd annual Hoops & Heart Gala, it’s important to note that the true all-stars of the evening were the many Trail Blazers fans, corporate partners, and community partners who participated in the event.  The support of these donors will help the Trail Blazers continue to make it better for children and families in our community.
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