Warriors' Harrington provides hearty 'Ho! Ho! Ho!'

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Dec 18, 2007 | by Marcus Thompson II

OAKLAND -- Golden State Warriors forward Al Harrington's beaming grin beat him into the visitor's family room on the perimeter of Oracle Arena last Tuesday. A blue apron draped from his 6-foot-9, 250-pound body as his Santa cap scraped the door frame, and a sack of gifts dangled from his right hand.

His attempt at Claus' "Ho! Ho! Ho" greeting was muffled by the ovation he received -- which was a bit surprising because these kids were a little long in the tooth.

"We're all big kids at heart," said Warriors president Robert Rowell, who also donned an apron and toted a bag of gifts.

In most cases, the recipients in the Warriors community are children and their struggling parents. But last Tuesday, the Warriors focused on their elders. Twenty-five senior citizens from Home Instead Senior Care, a come-to-you nursing home, were the guests of honor at the Warriors' victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Some were financially strapped. Some were lonely. Some were suffering from illness. But, this night, they were all special. They were given lower-level seats, invited on the court during pregame and had a small party in their recognition after the game. The evening was capped with Harrington and Rowell lavishing them with gifts. It was part of the franchise's Season of Giving, which began during Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas, but with an AARP twist.

The goodies included in-demand memorabilia, such as basketballs autographed by point guard Baron Davis and jerseys signed by Monta Ellis. Harrington was all-too-pleased to be the one to deliver the goods.

"Sometimes we forget about the older people when we talk about our community," he said. "It's always good to remember them when we give back because, obviously, these people paved the way for everything we have today. So I think it is important to acknowledge them when we can."

But more important than the presents, was the presence.

The presence of Harrington, who for a night passed on the postgame lounging with his family and friends.

"I was very surprised to see him," said El Cerrito resident Michael Bonomi, 80, who suffers from slight dementia. "A lot of people think they're too good to hang out with some old people like us."

The presence of the caregivers, who regularly nurture this group and are sometimes the only family these people know.

"We do this every year," said Vivian Young, owner of the Home Instead franchise in Hercules. "We get thousands and thousands of disenfranchised seniors who are low income, being left alone with no families. It's the least we can do."

The presence of the holiday spirit, a warmth some of them desperately miss.

"This was a gift from God," said Mark Ligons, an Oakland native and diabetic who is confined to a wheelchair because of an amputated leg. "You know how you have ups and downs in life? This was one of the better things, you know."

Added Rowell, "Senior citizens are often overlooked. This is a tough time of the year for a lot of (them). Whatever little joy we could bring is well worth it."