http://www.nba.com/rockets/community/hugstohelp.html Houston Rockets 10,000 Hugs to Help The Houston Rockets have announced the launch of a fundraising campaign to assist the three surviving children of Houston residents Joshua and Robin Berry who were killed in a tragic automobile accident on July 2, 2011. The campaign, which has been tabbed “10,000 Hugs-to-Help,” will offer Houstonians the opportunity join fundraising efforts by making monetary donations for the chance to get a hug from Clutch, the team’s lovable mascot, at a variety of events planned around the Houston community in the coming weeks. Rockets Chief Executive Officer Tad Brown will join Head Coach Kevin McHale as the first donators to receive hugs at the campaign tip-off event scheduled for Wednesday, July 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the main entrance of Toyota Center. “This is truly a heartbreaking situation that has left three beautiful children of our community without their parents,” said Brown. “Mr. Alexander, along with our entire Houston Rockets organization, sends his condolences to the Berry family for the tragic loss of Joshua and Robin. We are committed to assisting the various fundraising efforts that continue to be planned around our community in order to help provide Peter, Aaron and Willa with the financial support they will need in order to overcome the physical pain and devastating emotional trauma they have suffered.” Schedule Your Own "Hug" Event with Clutch * Join in helping the Berry children hosting a “Hug” event with Clutch * For a minimum donation of $1,000, Clutch will visit your location, where he can hug staff and/or patrons as he attempts to reach his goal of 10,000 hugs. It’s a wonderful, spirited way for your entire company to join in this community-wide effort to support Peter, Aaron and Willa Berry. Again, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Berry Children’s Trust. * To participate or to discuss other ways you can help, please contact Sarah Joseph at 713.758.7302 or email here All proceeds collected during the campaign will be donated to the Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust fund that has been established by the family. Upcoming "Hug" Events Wednesday, July 27 Campaign Tip-Off with Coach Kevin McHale and CEO Tad Brown Toyota Center - 2pm Thursday, July 28 Baubles for Berrys I.W. Marks Jewelers - 6pm 3841 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77025 Rockets Open House Toyota Center - 7:15pm Friday, July 29 Katy Perry Concert In front of Toyota Center - 5:30-7:30pm Sunday, July 31 Bounce for the Berrys Pump It Up - 9:30am 6030 S Rice Ave, Houston, TX 77081 Bounce for the Berrys Pump It Up - 11am Marq*E Center 7620 Katy Freeway #415, Houston, TX 77024 Sunday, August 21 Berry Softball/Kickball Tournament Houston Sportsplex - Time TBD 12300 S Main, Houston, TX 77035 (times listed above refers to Clutch appearance)
Good to hear that the Rockets are trying to help. I made a donation after reading the earlier posts on clutchans. So... if Kyle Lowry, who went to visit the kids at the hospital, shows up to the event, the other Rockets employees can't talk to him?
Events such as this remind me of the Greatness within the Rockets Organization, Clutch the Bear, and players like Lowry and Wilson Chandler. Ironically, ever since the announcement of his retirement, I have had a strong urge to HUG Yao Ming.
From Rockets Insider email: **Clutch the Bear will be at Niko Niko's on August 18th (11:30-12:30 at the Market Square location) and August 19th (1-2 at the Montrose location) to give hugs and accept donations in support of this cause**
