Nets Players Deliver Toys to Brooklyn Kids

NETS players Brook Lopez, Derrick Favors, Ben Uzoh, Quinton Ross, Stephen Graham, and Joe Smith today gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall for a holiday party where they helped to distribute toys for children from five Salvation Army community centers in Brooklyn.
 
The toys were donated by the Barclays/Nets Community Alliance, which includes a partnership among Barclays, the NETS, and Forest City Ratner Companies. Presented by National Grid, a NETS sponsor, the holiday bash provided toys to children who otherwise might not have received any during the holiday season.
 
The event was also attended by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and representatives of The Salvation Army and National Grid.
 
"Every year during the Holiday season we celebrate and are thankful for what we have," said Bruce Ratner, Chairman and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies. "There is no better way to do this than by remembering and helping those who are less fortunate. I want to thank the NETS players who have taken the time to be here with the kids and to help them really celebrate this Holiday season."
 
"We really appreciate being part of such a meaningful event in Brooklyn and celebrating the holidays with the kids," said Brook Lopez, the NETS star center. "We hope these toys bring a smile to their faces and we wish them the best this Holiday season."
 
"Again this year, I am proud that our soon-to-be Brooklyn NETS are scoring a real 'three pointer' by providing more than 1,100 toys for children," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "To the Barclays/Nets Community Alliance, Forest City Ratner, National Grid and The Salvation Army, I say 'bravo!' for teaming up with my office and making sure our young Brooklynites get caught up in all the holiday 'hoop'-la!"
 
"There is no better gift than the light in a child's eyes when they receive a favorite toy," said Lt. Colonel Guy D. Klemanski, the Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army Greater New York Division. "Thanks to our partners here in Brooklyn that light should shine brightly."
 
"National Grid is pleased to note its fourth year as a sponsor of the Barclays/Nets Holiday festivities," said Jim Madej, Senior Vice President of Customer Energy Solutions at National Grid. "National Grid has a strong commitment to Brooklyn and all the communities we serve. With a special focus on education and the environment, National Grid supports programs to help improve the way people live, work and have fun."
 
In addition to the toys that were distributed at the event, the Barclays/Nets Community Alliance donated toys to Brooklyn youngsters at Salvation Army centers in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Brownsville, Bay Ridge, and Sunset Park. The toys were on display at Monday's event.
 
This is the third consecutive year that toys are being donated under the Barclays/Nets Community Alliance, which works to improve the lives of young people in Brooklyn and surrounding communities through sports and other activities, including education and health care. It is the seventh year in a row that Forest City Ratner Companies and the NETS have teamed up with The Salvation Army.
 
The NETS will be relocating to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the 2012-13 NBA season.

Photo by Kathryn Kirk