Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation Donates Over $120,000 to Neighbors and Community Initiatives throughout the DMV – Monumental Sports

The Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation’s Philanthropic Efforts for the holidays covers over 20 Community Events Taking Place in November and December. 

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Washington, D.C. (December 23, 2024) – The Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation (MSEF) celebrated another holiday season giving back to neighbors and fans through community support and impactful events to celebrate with communities across the region. MSEF donated more than $120,000 in charitable efforts to over 15 nonprofit partners in support of team-led campaigns by the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards and Capital City Go-Go – and on behalf of the corporate parent company and the Washington Mystics (not currently in their playing season). 

“At Monumental Sports & Entertainment, we believe our teams and our fans can be a powerful force for good,” said Elizabeth Pace, President and Executive Director, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. “We’re proud to support our neighbors in meaningful ways—especially during the holiday season—and to invest in organizations that make a lasting difference in the region. This is an extension of our commitment to the community we call home, and we look forward to continuing this work for years to come.” 

Highlights of the Season’s Activities 

Toys for Tots Shopping: The Capital City Go-Go players and General Manager shopped for games, toys and puzzles that MSEF donated to Labyrinth’s Toys for Tots toy drive.  

For the District Food Drive: Throughout the month of November (Nov. 1-22), the Washington Wizards held a food drive at Capital One Arena. Fans donated more than 500 pounds of non-perishable food items benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank. Wizards staff members packed over 500 pounds of food to deliver to needy seniors in the D.C. area. 

Board Game Day Jersey Auction: The Capital City Go-Go hosted a player-worn jersey auction and used the funds to purchase games, puzzles and toys at Labyrinth Games & Puzzles for Toys for Tots. 

Holiday Helpings: MSEF gave a $10,000 donation to Bread for the City’s Holiday Helpings program. This year, Bread for the City set a goal to provide a special holiday meal, including a whole turkey or chicken, holiday fixings and produce, to 12,000 families across Washington, D.C., and the funds were used to support this work. 

Winter Wonderland: MSEF gave a $25,000 donation to Martha’s Table Winter Wonderland event, where families enrolled in their Early Childhood Education, Baby and Me, District Dads and Family Visiting programs were able to shop for free in their no-cost holiday shop.  

Caps Care Toy Drive: The Washington Capitals collected toys at their game on Dec. 3 benefiting the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command’s Angel Trees program.  

Surprise Elementary School Visit: The Washington Wizards made a surprise visit to Savoy Elementary School. The team brought joy, excitement and holiday cheer to PK3 to 5th grade students, with a pizza lunch. Players and coaches also distributed gifts to students and teachers courtesy of MSEF. Wizards players, Wizards Dancers and Wizards in-arena host Britt Waters were on-site to energize the students and spread holiday cheer.  

Washington Wizards Hospital Visit: Members of the Wizards team visited MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. MSEF provided gift cards, mini-basketballs and Wizards gear for the players to distribute to patients and staff.  

Capital Area Food Bank Sorting Event: The Washington Wizards staff, community and corporate partners, Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards, as well as Wizards alumni and current team representatives, helped sort and pack food meal boxes at the Capital Area Food Bank, including items collected during the food drive at Capital One Arena to support those in need in the D.C. area.  

Mother’s & Children Holiday Gifting: The Washington Wizards partnered with Mamatoto Village to host the “Mothers & Children Holiday Gifting” event at Mamatoto Village Offices in Northeast D.C. This event aimed to help ease the financial burden many mothers face during the holiday season. The Wizards provided gifts and resources and were joined by the Mystics’ Aaliyah Edwards to help spread joy and holiday cheer to D.C. area mothers in need.  

Hosting Families at the Game, Pregame Meet and Greet/Family-to-Family: The Wizards and MSEF hosted families from Cedar Tree Academy Public Charter School and Martha’s Table in a suite, where they were surprised with a gift and allowed to meet players before the game.  

Future Caps Learn to Play Family Holiday Skate: The Future Caps “Learn to Play” Family Holiday Skate was a celebration of hockey and the holiday season at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Fall and Winter 2024-25 Future Caps Learn to Play players and their families were invited to join this public-skate style event, including skating fun, holiday treats and special surprise guests including Capitals players.  

Evening of Thanks and Recognition: To recognize the many organizations that have made lasting impacts on the lives of residents throughout the region, the Washington Wizards held a special reception on December 19 at the Henry Benson D.C. Gallery located next to Capital One Arena. The event honored and thanked 25 nonprofit organizations from Washington, D.C., for their hard work and contributions to the community. Attendees also received tickets to attend that evening’s Wizards vs. Hornets game.  

Gift Distribution/Family-to-Family: Monumental Basketball adopted 10 families from Cedar Tree Academy Public Charter School and 15 families from Martha’s Table. Players, coaches and staff shopped for these families and distributed gifts to the sites on Dec. 22.  

Hosting Families at the Game, Gift Distribution/Family-to-Family: The Washington Capitals and MSEF partnered with The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command’s Turning Point Center to bring holiday cheer to families in need. The Capitals “adopted” the 17 families currently in the program, with players’ and coaches’ wives handling the gift shopping. 

Four of the families attended the Capitals’ game on Dec. 22, where they received their presents and met Caps wives and mascot Slapshot. Turning Point provides independent living for homeless mothers and their children, tailoring its support to help families build self-sufficiency and life skills as they transition toward permanent housing. 

Thankful Meals: MSEF distributed 550 turkeys and $25,000 in Giant gift cards on Nov. 20, to support residents of Wards 7 and 8. Players and staff from the Wizards, Mystics, and Go-Go joined the initiative, handing out hot meals and taking part in a read-along with community members. 

During the event, held in partnership with Martha’s Table, residents were invited to visit the nonprofit’s lobby market, which offers fresh produce and nonperishable items to families in need. Organizers described the day as an opportunity to provide critical resources while strengthening ties within the community. 

Caps Hospital Visit: The Washington Capitals players visited MedStar Health Georgetown University Hospital, where they met with patients, families and staff to spread holiday cheer. 

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About Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation 

MSE Foundation is committed to making the region a better place for all by supporting game-changing solutions for our community. We fundraise, provide grants to nonprofits and rally Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s teams and fans to support and amplify the impact of community change agents. Together, we’re raising the game in the DMV. Learn more at www.monumentalfoundation.org. 

*B-ROLL Time Stamps 

• 00:00 – Holiday Helpings (Washington Wizards) 

• 00:32 – Surprise Elementary School Visit (Washington Wizards) 

• 00:45 – Wizards Players  

• 01:07 – Toys for Tots Shopping (Capital City Go-Go)  

• 01:43 – Capital Area Food Bank Sorting Event (Washington Wizards) 

• 03:09 – Mother’s & Children Holiday Gifting (Monumental Basketball) 

• 03:28 – Mystics Player  

• 03:40 – Hosting Families at the Game, Pregame Meet and Greet/Family-to-Family (Washington Wizards) 

• 03:49 – Washington Wizards Players  

• 04:45 – Thankful Meals (Monumental Basketball) 

• 04:49 – Washington Wizards Players  

• 06:02 – Future Caps Learn to Play Family Holiday Skate (Washington Capitals) 

• 06:09 – Washington Capitals Players Appear  

• 07:14 – Evening of Thanks and Recognition (Washington Wizards) 

• 08:09 – Gift Distribution/Family-to-Family (Washington Wizards) 

• 09:00 – Caps Hospital Visit  

• Capitals Players appear at this time stamp 

• 09:57 – Hosting Families at the Game, Gift Distribution/Family-to-Family (Washington Capitals)