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NBAE / Getty Images
Stephen Jackson brings gifts for the
Holiday Hospital Visit. |
By Grant Wieman
bobcats.com
December 9, 2009
When the Charlotte Bobcats visited the Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital on December 9, Stephen Jackson, Gerald Henderson and Derrick Brown were welcomed with open arms, but it was someone else who stole the show.
"Rufus is always a big hit," said Rebecca Brooks, a child life specialist at Hemby. "When he gets here you can’t miss that big orange cat. People love him."
Rufus and the players, each dressed in a Bobcats Santa hat, gave gifts, signed autographs and spent time joking with the kids.
"This is a great opportunity for us to not only come and give back to the community that supports us, but also to try to cheer these kids up for the holidays," Jackson said. "A lot of these kids don’t get a chance to experience (the holidays) because they’re either not feeling well or not at home, so it’s a chance for us to come out, try to brighten their day, and try to make their holidays a little better. It’s a great experience for all of us."
With Christmas approaching, spending time in the hospital can be difficult on the kids and their families.
"It’s hard for them to be here in the hospital any time of the year, but especially around the holidays," said Rebecca Brooks, Child Life Specialist. "Their friends are in school or they’re out playing and having fun holiday parties and doing fun things together, and these kids are stuck here. It’s nice for them to know people are thinking about them."
"It’s a good deed for us," Jackson said. "They don’t normally get a chance to meet us or come to games, so we can come out and just put a smile on their face, let them know everything is going to be ok, give them a gift or two" and it makes them feel better.
Henderson, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Wednesday at the hospital, said helping kids is beneficial for the children, their families and even the players.
"These kids, whatever they may be going through, see us come out here and just spend some time with them (and it brightens their day)," Henderson said. "It’s not only good for them but it’s good for us as well."
Brown, a 22-year-old rookie like Henderson, said he could relate to the kids because he remembers his own childhood so vividly.
Giving back to the community was only part of what the players gained. Jackson just joined the Bobcats on Nov. 16 and said helping in the community with his two young teammates would help them all form a bond.
"I’ve been doing this for ten years now," Jackson said. "They’ve done things to give back to their communities, so this is nothing new to them, but it’s just good to be able to give back to our city together. It’s a great experience."
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