MICHAEL JORDAN on Tuesday was at the Community Boys & Girls Club of Wilmington, N.C., to "provide Thanksgiving meals for victims of Hurricane Florence." He gave "around 85 kids a meal and a pair of his infamous Jordan shoes." The club itself "received $100,000 to help rebuild after damages" from the storm (STARNEWSONLINE.com, 11/20). Jordan said that he will "continue to monitor hurricane recovery efforts and would consider partnering with others to continue to improve living conditions" (AP, 11/20).
TURKEY TIME: Panthers QB CAM NEWTON on Monday held his annual Thanksgiving Jam -- in partnership with grocer Harris Teeter -- at TopGolf in Charlotte. The event "welcomed -- and fed -- 1,200 underprivileged kids and some of their family members" and sent them home with a meal for Thursday. The event's attendance increased by 50% over '17 (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 11/19)....Saints RB ALVIN KAMARA on Monday hosted his "first annual Turkey Giveaway and Thanksgiving Fest" at a local New Orleans playground (NOLA.com, 11/19)....Golfer TONY FINAU on Tuesday in his hometown of Rose Park, Utah, teamed up with Traeger Grills to provide a "free smoked turkey dinner with all the trimmings for up to 1,000 people (DESERETNEWS.com, 11/20).
TEAM EFFORTS: The Mets on Friday hosted their annual "Metsgiving" event, distributing "more than 800 turkeys" across the N.Y. area, plus "complete meals to 25 families living near Citi Field" (NEWSDAY.com, 11/16)....Mavericks players, coaches, basketball operations staff and business-side employess gathered together on Friday for the franchise's annual Thanksgiving lunch. Mavs coach RICK CARLISLE called it a "bonding day" and a "day of appreciation" for the organization (DALLASNEWS.com, 11/17)....The Hornets and Food Lion Feeds on Friday "provided Thanksgiving meals to 1,000 families in need" at the team's annual giveaway (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 11/16)....The Celtics last Thursday hosted the West End House Boys & Girls Club at their annual Turkey Bowl bowling match as part of the team's Season of Giving efforts (BOSTONHERALD.com, 11/16).
NAMES: Former Michigan State President LOU ANNA SIMON has been "charged with lying to police, making her the third person charged by the Attorney General's office of its investigation of the university related to LARRY NASSAR." Simon faces "up to four years in prison if convicted" (LANSINGSTATEJOURNAL.com, 11/20)....VENUS WILLIAMS has "settled a wrongful death lawsuit" related to a fatal car crash in Palm Beach County, Fla., in June '17 (AP, 11/20)....After the Colts' 38-10 victory over the Titans on Sunday, Colts GM CHRIS BALLARD on Monday “paid a visit” to Titans defensive coordinator DEAN PEES in an Indianapolis hospital. The Titans announced Pees “left Sunday’s game after receiving medical attention in the coach’s box” (INDYSTAR.com, 11/20)....Trail Blazers G EVAN TURNER has invested in custom footwear company ISlide in its latest seed round (THE DAILY).
