The Grizzmas Spirit
Last night (12/10) Grizzlies fans lined up at the The Great Hall Conference Center for a good cause. Donate a toy and you get to mingle with the players and staff and get a chance to get an autograph. The event was scheduled to last from 6pm -7pm. I arrived around 5:15pm and the line was already wrapped around the building. As it got closer to 6 o’clock the line begin to move. Upon entering the building, there was another line to wait in but at least it wasn’t 30 degrees.
Inside the event there was a toy drop off section, kids area with face painting and balloons, tables with Grizzlies posters & schedules, and of course the tables where the Memphis Grizzlies would sit and sign autographs. Even a few of the Grizz Girls were there mingling with the crowd . Hundreds of fans waited their turn in line to get an autograph from their favorite Grizzlie. Coach Joerger and his staff were also in attendance and signing autographs. it was well past 7 p.m. (the scheduled ending time of the event) and they were all still sigining autographs. As the team security began to escort the Grizzlies out of the building there were still fans in line and waiting around to get an autograph from and a glimpse of their favorite Grizz Player. I over heard Zach Randolph tell a member of the security detail, ” We’re leaving but there are still real fans in here to meet us.” Randolph took the time pose for a few more pictures with some young kids and autograph their parents memorabilia. THANK YOU MR. RANDOLPH!!!
Today (12/11) some of the Grizzlies, Courtney Lee, Nick Calathes and Tayshaun Prince, will take the toys collected at the Toys For Tots Toy drive and pass them out at LeBonheur. The Grizzlies next community event is this evening at Carver High School at 5 p.m. Randolph and Grizzlies Director of Player Support and Memphis Basketball Legend Elliot Perry will host a dinner for more than 100 Carver High School students. At the dinner they will address more than 100 Carver High students about the importance of education, grit and the power of sport to transform lives.