The Golden State Warriors have really big feet
Recently, I was fortunate to join the Warriors at the Oracle Arena, where, among other activities, the Warriors held a silent auction with proceeds benefitting UNICEF's relief efforts in Japan. Included in the auctioned memorabilia? One sneaker, size 16, signed by the whole Warriors team.
Recently, I was fortunate to join the Warriors at the Oracle Arena, where, among other activities, the Warriors held a silent auction with proceeds benefitting UNICEF's relief efforts in Japan. Included in the auctioned memorabilia? One sneaker, size 16, signed by the whole Warriors team.
Josh Harvey is part of the Sports Partnerships team at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.The Golden State Warriors have really, really big feet.
How do I know this?
The same way I know they have really, really big hearts: recently, I was fortunate to join the Warriors at the Oracle Arena, where, among other activities, the Warriors held a silent auction with proceeds benefiting UNICEF's relief efforts in Japan. Included in the auctioned memorabilia? One sneaker, size 16, signed by the whole Warriors team.
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| U.S. Fund for UNICEF |
| The U.S. Fund for UNICEF information table at a prime spot at Oracle Arena - that Warriors basketball is filled with fan contributions! Like a piñata of generosity! |
Also on hand were 8 equally big-hearted (albeit smaller-footed) Bay Area volunteers for UNICEF, who took to the stands to collect contributions from the over 15,000 fans that packed Oracle Arena each evening to watch the Warriors put up big wins against Toronto and Washington.
"Working with UNICEF to raise donations to aid the people in Japan was such a rewarding and pleasant experience," said Shauna DeBono, U.S. Fund for UNICEF Volunteer. "It felt great to know that we were making a difference and to know that in times of great suffering we are still able to unite and help one another."
The Warriors kindly highlighted the Japan relief activities throughout the games and even had Warriors Community Relations staff on hand to accept donations! Golden State Warrior and Trick-or-Treater for UNICEF Charlie Bell filmed a PSA to raise awareness for UNICEF's Japan relief work. Thanks, Charlie!
The total of our collections--combined with a percentage of ticket proceeds generously donated by the Warriors--was an amazing $18,000! Friend of UNICEF Rick Elfman was on hand to accept the gift.
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| Rocky Widener/NBA Photos |
| U.S. Fund for UNICEF Supporter Rick Elfman accepts the Warriors' and Warriors fan contributions from former Warrior, Warrior coach, and NBA legend Al Attles. |
Here's what Rick had to say:
"It was quite an honor to accept the check from the Warriors for UNICEF and the children of Japan. I was lucky enough to accept it with Mr. Al Attles who is one of the NBA's greatest players of all time. He played with the Warriors in the seventies, won and NBA championship with them and then went on to coach the Warriors for many years. His number is retired and hanging in the Oracle Arena rafters and he was voted to the NBA Hall of Fame.
All of the Warriors staff was gracious and helpful to me - it was a pretty easy job, I just had to smile and look nice, the heavy lifting was done by all those volunteers who work so hard. My wife Holly is one of those UNICEF volunteers who works hard and she would have accepted the award but was out of town visiting our son (lucky for me).
I'm proud to have accepted the "big check" for UNICEF and the Warriors are a great organization."
On behalf of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, and of the children whose lives have been bettered through the generosity and efforts of the Golden State Warriors and our Bay Area friends, thank you!
