COMMUNITY GIVEBACK LETS PISTONS AND CRUISE CONNECT WITH CITY
Monte Morris at the Pistons’ Season of Giving event, shot by Zariq Turner
The holidays are rearing again, a season that is supposed to be filled with joy, and family is often lost in the consumerist nature that also coincides with the holidays. On November 15th, the spirit of joy and community resided just outside of the Pistons Performance Center in Detroit, Michigan. The Detroit Pistons welcomed over 800 families Wednesday evening, supplying them with groceries handed out by players, coaches, team faculty, volunteers, and season ticket holders across both the Cruise and Pistons. The event was put together in collaboration with Kroger, Michigan State University, and the Pistons’ very own Monte Morris. The Flint native decided to be a part of this event, donating on his own dime to help put together the community giveback.
“It’s a company-wide shutdown from top to bottom. Even our leadership teams come down for this, we have over 250 employees that volunteer throughout the course of the day,” Pistons’ Director of Community Social Responsibility, Chris Economeas, told Bullyball. The Performance Center was bustling with bodies, all of which were more than happy to be participating in the night’s festivities. Chris is someone who grew up in the Detroit community, and now gets to participate in giving back to families within those same communities. “Honestly when the cars pull up, to see the joy from the families and the kids to see Hooper, our dancers, our players actually being hands-on is, to me, what sticks out the most. The families don’t know everything they’re pulling into, they just think they’re coming to pick up food. To see their reaction, is a big deal.”
Chris wasn’t alone as a native Detroiter within the organization giving back on Wednesday evening. Cruise Assistant Coach, Marcus Stout, cited his parents as inspirations for his work giving back as both were educators in the city of Detroit impacting the youth. Coach Stout has held youth programs, and worked with the youth in his spare time, continuing to give back to the community. Wednesday, he spent a considerable amount of time stocking cars and preparing groceries for the community. “It’s funny because I’m looking at the kids’ faces, and I remember being that kid and thinking about Grant Hill, Lindsey Hunter, Alan Houston. Those were the guys when I was young, and I remember going to games every couple of years. The wow factor of seeing them in person, I never really got that. So, seeing the kids’ faces light up seeing guys like Jaden Ivey and Cade, that’s what it’s all about,” Stout told Bullyball.
Family at the Pistons’ giveback event receiving an autographed basketball, shot by Zariq Turner
Players from the Pistons and Cruise were allotted a specific amount of time to be outside, giving out groceries and all did so with a smile. Once they had returned to the inside of the facility, and the dust settled, one volunteer noticed how one player had stayed far beyond his allotted time, voluntarily. Season ticket holder, Nusrat Moghul, spent her Wednesday night giving out groceries alongside the Pistons and Cruise members. In my conversation with her, she pointed out to me, that well after his allotted time had ended, Jaden Ivey continued to voluntarily contribute to the community event. “My favorite is Jaden Ivey, I adore his style I think he’s a great young man. All the other players are gone, and you see why he’s my favorite? Jaden’s still out here in the freezing cold,” Nusrat told Bullyball. The Pistons’ sophomore guard remained diligent in his efforts to give back to the community, and to connect with his roots to the city of Detroit. Coach Stout also noticed Ivey’s efforts, “In terms of Jaden man, that speaks to who he is. I know his dad, he comes from good stock. When you’re in a position to help, and you come from good stock, you want to continue that legacy.”