Stories

On November 1, the Garden of Dreams Foundation and the New York Knicks hosted a ‘Day of Surprises' for four Garden of Dreams partner organizations: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, WHEDCo and Children's Village. A full-team of current Knicks players divided and conquered to surprise Garden of Dreams children at four different locations.

One of the surprises took place at the Madison Square Garden Training Center where Knicks player Ronny Turiaf surprised Jack Gilroy from Make-A-Wish with an invite to watch practice and to have lunch with him and other Knicks players. As if watching practice was not enough, Ronny met Jack on the practice court with a Knicks duffel bag filled with a Knicks jersey, sweatshirt, water bottle, hat, brand-new basketball sneakers and more goodies - Jack immediately changed into all of his new Knicks gear. Dressed from head to toe in his new gear, Jack received a personal tour of the Knicks locker room by Ronny where he introduced Jack to the team. After the tour, Ronny and Jack headed to the dining room for lunch. During lunch, Ronny and Jack talked about everything from school to basketball to music. Once finished at the training center, Jack joined Ronny and fellow Knicks players, Anthony Randolph, Roger Mason Jr. and Andy Rautins, at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital to spend time with children at the hospital, take photos, sign autographs and deliver gift bags.

While smiles were being brightened at the MSG Training Center and Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Knicks players Toney Douglas, Raymond Felton, Landry Fields and Shawne Williams surprised eight students from WHEDCo at their school in a stretch limo. When the students were called down to the main office by their principal, they were the farthest thing from in trouble - They were about to have the time of their life. Following the players' lead, the eight students got into the limo to ride to New Roc City, a fun interactive zone in New Rochelle. The limo ride was filled with so much chatter and laughter, the kids already had smiles spread across their faces. At New Roc City, the players and children eagerly raced into the interactive zone to play arcade games, challenge each other in laser tag and compete on the bumper car track. Before leaving, each child received photos, autographs and a special Knicks duffel bag including Knicks jerseys, sweatshirts, water bottles, hats and brand-new basketball sneakers.

Lastly, but surely not least, Knicks players Amar'e Stoudemire, Kelenna Azubike, Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Timofey Mozgov and Bill Walker visited Children's Village for a surprise equipment giveaway. Fifteen children on the Children's Village basketball team were in for no ordinary shoot around. While the kids were shooting around in the gymnasium, the Knicks players walked in with their hands filled with Knicks duffel bags. When the kids saw the players, they were in shock and could not believe their eyes. In each duffel bag were the gifts of the day, Knicks jerseys, sweatshirts, water bottles, hats and brand-new basketball sneakers. In addition to their new basketball gear, the basketball team received brand new basketballs and a basketball rack.
Be sure to check out the photos from this amazing day!