Miami Heat give back to community for Thanksgiving

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Miami's Dream Team served up more than smiles at it's annual Thanksgiving celebration.

"I don't think we can do enough of it, we just can't," said Heat President Pat Riley. "If we could do 25 Thanksgivings we would do them."

With the help of the entire Heat team, along with Coach Erik Spoelstra and front office, the Miami Heat hosted their annual celebration Tuesday in Overtown. "We enjoy it, to get a chance to interact with our real fans and just the things they say that we get a little chuckle out of," said Heat Guard Dwyane Wade. "Just the interaction is something that they will remember for a lifetime."

Cathy Cole really appreciated the team's efforts and their services to the community. "The players are there and they're actually handing each person a can of food, they're actually handing them a turkey and this really makes the community feel like the Miami Heat is a part of them," said Cathy Cole.

Miami Heat Forward Lebron James said he takes away the beaming expressions from the families waiting in line for a meal. "I take away the smiles, man," said Heat Forward Lebron James. "I can just imagine if I were a kid and walking through the line and I got an opportunity to see Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh or Ray Allen in a line, I would never forget that moment. It's special."

The Thanksgiving block party benefited 600 needy families. "I think it's wonderful, because a lot of us, especially with the way the economy is, food is really hard to get to and this will make a great Thanksgiving dinner for a lot of us," said Jessica Rivera.

Once again the Heat proved to be champions, not only on the court but in the community as well. "Well, it's always equally important, the commitment that we have to ourselves on the floor to be able to establish that same commitment," said Heat Guard Ray Allen. "These people support us night in and night out and this is just to show them that we care about them, we thank them for their support and we want to make sure we represent Miami and show them how much they mean to us."

"Oh, this is fantastic and my birthday too, so this is my gift, this my gift today," said Ann Wills. "I'm just grateful for being here."

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