Kaman saves Christmas for children
Jennifer Moran didn’t know what to tell the children.
Moran, unit director of the Boys & Girls Club of Harbor Gateway, struggled to find the words to announce that an annual Christmas toy giveaway Wednesday would be canceled because of lack of donations.
As it turned out, she didn’t have to say anything, thanks to Chris Kaman.
Informed of the situation by an associate, the fourth-year center donated 1,000 toys to the club, which shares donations with its Harbor City branch. Kaman delivered, and many underprivileged children benefited.
“It was just incredible,” Moran said in a phone interview Friday. “A big truck came and delivered the toys, and we just couldn’t believe how many there were. We split the toys with Harbor City, so he saved us both.”
Instead of canceling its event, the Harbor Gateway club provided children with multiple toys because of Kaman’s generosity, Moran said.
“We had a line around the block and served 500 kids,” she said. “We serve kids of different ages, and we had a lot of different toys to offer because of what he did. This is a low-income area that we live in, so some of these kids probably wouldn’t get a toy for Christmas without what we were able to do.
“It was such a great day ... their eyes just lit up. We saw the happiness in their eyes. Some of the children are deaf and can’t speak, but we saw the emotion in their faces. They are so appreciative of a lot things that other people take for granted, so we want everyone to know how much we appreciate what he did.”
The Clippers have donated tickets for the club’s members and staff to attend Wednesday’s game against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center, Moran said, and they’re eager to thank Kaman in person.
“We’re going to show him all the pictures of the kids with their toys and give him a big thank-you banner,” she said. “What he did is just so great.”
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Corey Maggette recently revealed that he doesn’t “see eye to eye” with Coach Mike Dunleavy, and the Clippers plan to trade the disgruntled seven-year veteran.
Despite his feelings about Dunleavy, Maggette’s minutes are not expected to decrease while the team pursues potential deals. Maggette’s trade value might be higher if he’s playing a significant role, so Dunleavy is sticking with him out of necessity.
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Kaman had his long, stringy blond hair cut Thursday. He had planned to get only a trim, but changed his mind and now has a short, neat hairstyle.
TONIGHT
at Houston, 5:30 PST, Ch. 5
Site -- Toyota Center.
Radio -- 1110.
Records -- Clippers 10-15, Rockets 16-10.
Record vs. Rockets -- 0-1.
Update -- Yao Ming scored 32 points in Houston’s 108-103 victory Dec. 17 at Staples Center. The center made 12 of 18 shots.