Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation to Spread Holiday Cheer through the 2013 Season of Giving Month

Minneapolis/St. Paul This holiday season, the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation will celebrate the Season of Giving, presented by SPIRE Federal Credit Union, that focuses on supporting organizations and hosting events that help make the holidays a happier time for those in need. The FastBreak Foundation, which is supported year-round by the Roger and Nancy McCabe Foundation, will use this special time of year to recognize individuals in the community who embody the spirit of the season through their work to assist others.

Additionally, this month the Timberwolves are taking part in a comprehensive NBA Give BIG program that aims to encourage charitable work in the community during the holidays.

Highlights of the FastBreak Foundation's Season of Giving month include the following:

Holiday Shopping for Kids Sunday, Dec. 8 (3 - 5 p.m.)

The ninth annual Holiday Shopping for Kids will kick off at SEVEN Restaurant in Minneapolis with the FastBreak Foundation teaming up with Minnesota Adoption Resource Network (MARN) to surprise 22 kids with a holiday shopping spree at Target. During an afternoon party, the children will receive a surprise announcement from Timberwolves President Chris Wright about the $500 shopping spree. The kids will then proceed to the downtown Target store where several Timberwolves players will help them shop for clothing, school supplies and toys. In addition, SPIRE purchased tickets to a Wolves game for each child and their family.

Kevin Love Coat Drive: Now - Dec. 18

The sixth annual Kevin Love Coat Drive began on Nov. 16 and runs through Dec. 18. Anyone who wishes to participate can donate new or gently used coats at the Target Center Box Office. The coats will go to The Salvation Army to help the less fortunate stay warm during this winter season. Everyone who donates a coat will receive two tickets to the Jan. 1 or Jan. 8 Timberwolves games (limit four tickets per family, while supplies last). Love will personally deliver the coats to The Salvation Army on Dec. 17.

Holiday Toy Drive - Now - Dec. 18; Boys & Girls Club Holiday Party - Dec. 20

Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx and SPIRE Federal Credit Union staff members are conducting a toy drive from Nov. 25 to Dec. 18. On Friday, Dec. 20, Timberwolves dancers and SPIRE employees will drop the toys off and host a holiday party for 130 Boys & Girls Club members.

Grant Presentations - Dec. 7 and Dec. 11

The FastBreak Foundation will award two $5000 grants in December -- one to Hope for the City during the Wolves game vs. Miami on Dec. 7 and the other to St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) during the Wolves game vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 11. Hope for the City collects corporate surplus, including 5 million pounds of food per year, toiletries, clothing, toys, furniture and sporting goods and distributes it to those in need in Minnesota and across the globe. STEP is a community-wide resource that serves more than 1,600 people in need each month by providing advocacy, referrals and basic emergency needs.

Heroes in the Making

During three home games in December, the FastBreak Foundation and SPIRE Federal Credit Union will recognize and honor organizations that are working to improve the lives of Minnesota families in need during the holiday season.

#NBAGiveBIG

The league launched its first-ever social media photo mosaic at www.NBA.com/NBAGiveBIG to showcase community efforts from NBA, NBA D-League teams and fans. By using the hashtag #NBAGiveBIG on Twitter and Instagram, fans can join the teams, players and all members of the NBA family by sharing photos, videos and stories from their own seasonal community projects now through Dec. 31. Timberwolves fans doing goodwill in the Twin Cities can also include the teams three-letter abbreviation, #MIN, to have their photo aggregated on the NBA Give BIG website. Love is designated as the Timberwolves Season of Giving Ambassador and will use his social media outreach to encourage fans to give back to their communities.

About SPIRE: SPIRE Federal Credit Union, founded in 1934, is a full-service financial institution committed to providing smart products, great rates and excellent service for both personal and business members.

The Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation provides and supports hands-on programs that positively impact Minnesota youth. Through giving, education and basketball opportunities, the Foundation enables young people to make responsible decisions, contribute to their futures, and experience lifelong memories. In the past year, the Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation and the Minnesota Lynx Foundation have combined to impact 2,146 organizations with $842,790 in in-kind donations, 20,000 Tickets for Kids donations, 3,107 volunteer hours, 53 community members honored on-court, and 15 grants distributed. The FastBreak Foundation is proud to be supported by the Roger and Nancy McCabe Foundation.

Contact Information:

Kylie Crull, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-8409, crull@timberwolves.com

www.timberwolves.com