Day 4 of 6 Days and 6 Awesome Events. Memphis Grizzlies Tip-off Luncheon.

Monday
I had been to the National Civil Rights Freedom Awards, A Pink Affair, and the Elite Eleven Awards ceremony for the US Olympic Women’s Boxing Trials when I got a call on Monday morning from my friend, Naomi, asking me to join her at the Memphis Grizzlies Tip-off Luncheon.
Of course I was game.
Here’s Naomi and I with Zach Randolph! He really is a great guy and a great player.

I had not attended the tip-off luncheon in years, but I participated in and even helped with tip-off luncheon every year that I worked for the Memphis Grizzlies…starting all the way back to 2001, the team’s first season in Memphis. 
It felt a little strange not personally knowing any of the players like I had for the first years of my career, but it also felt great being able to sit and enjoy the event with no responsibility for it! Even though I didn’t know the players or coaches, a few of my friends were still working with the team. It was great to see them. It was great to be at the arena. The same arena where I led hard hat tours and participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for years ago.

At it was great to hear the story of the young man below who is a St. Jude patient. St. Jude received donations from the tip-off luncheon and auctions and has been a long-time partner of the team with players, ours and the opponents, visiting the hospital and spending time with the precious children. This young man was funny and so well-spoken, and I was beyond impressed with this young survivor!

Another great event. Another reminder of how blessed I am and how everything comes full circle.
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Tuesday-Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis Power of the Purse Auction                     Wednesday-US Olympics Women’s Boxing Trials