Growing up, I loved basketball. If you can believe it, little 5’1” tall me, made it on the high school basketball team. I could run, I was a great team player, and I just loved every game I played.
So naturally, my amazing, incredible father brought me to see the Harlem Globetrotters every single time they came to town. The last game I went to with my Dad was in 2000 – the millennium game in Montreal. We had a blast! I remember those moments with my Dad enjoying the game fondly.
So this year, when Evenko contacted me about the Harlem Globetrotters coming to town, I was giddy with excitement! Not only was I able to interview the incredible Anthony “Buckets” Blakes, but I will be able to take my three little ones to see the game on April 4th at the Bell Centre!
And don’t think I didn’t think of YOU too. Evenko has been extremely generous and is giving me two family four-packs of tickets to Ask Mama MOE readers! That’s right, get excited!
I made my way to downtown Montreal to see Buckets talk to an elementary school about the ABC’s of bullying prevention outreach program that the Harlem Globetrotters initiated last year.
Buckets Blakes waiting to be announced
It was a great experience to see him speaking to the school and getting them involved with answering questions. Buckets chose every age group and a couple of teachers to answer ways of preventing bullying from escalating in schools. It’s a simple concept that is easy for young children to understand:
A is for Action
B is for Bravery
C is for Compassion
Right smack in the middle of his presentation, one poor little kid was sick in the middle of the school gym. Chaos erupted. And Buckets Blakes kept cool. Once the kids calmed down and everything was cleaned up, Buckets went right into the ‘C is for compassion’ explanation. It was perfect! He took a real life situation and brought it home to the kids, explaining that they should all show compassion to their friend who was sick when he returns. They got it. It was fantastic.
Within this year the Harlem Globetrotters will be visiting some 420 schools to discuss the ABCs of bullying prevention outreach program. That is a lot of young minds to influence with an awesome initiative.
To find out why the Harlem Globetrotters are known as the Ambassadors of Goodwill, visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com and see all the other charitable acts they perform year-round.
Buckets Blakes joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 2002 just after (literally two days after) returning from playing pro-ball in Europe. He was scouted out and accepted immediately, not necessarily knowing the whole history, but knowing the Harlem Globetrotters were world-renown athletes. When I asked what part of the whole experience he loved, he said all of it. He loves travelling the world and being able to experience new cultures first hand. He is very proud to be part of the team and has a great positivity to him.
Buckets came from a family of…10 children. That’s right, mamas! He has nine siblings and has voluntarily chosen to be in an advocate, speaking to young children as part of his career. So I figured, he would have some excellent advice on how to handle a big family, as well as what parents can do to encourage parents with a passion for a sport.
Here is what Buckets has to say to you about including sports in your family life:
Isn’t that great?!
He is such a gentleman and an all around great guy. I’m so happy I got to meet him.
GIVEAWAY!!
So mamas, this is going to be easy peasy, I want you to win these tickets and enjoy this great experience with your kids. Two of you will win a four-ticket family pack to see the Harlem Globetrotters on April 4th at the Bell Centre ! Make sure that you clear your agenda!
Leave a comment below telling me what struck you the most in Buckets’ advice video. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win.
For bonus entries:
- Follow @AskMamaMOE on Twitter (leave your Twitter handle in a comment below)
- Follow @Evenko on Twitter (leave your Twitter handle in a comment below)
- Follow @Globies on Twitter (leave your Twitter handle in a comment below)
- Tweet this giveaway by retweeting this post with the message: “I just entered a giveaway w/ @AskMamaMOE to win 4 tickets to see the @Globies from @Evenko “ (1 entry for every retweet, up to twice daily- please leave a link to the tweet in a comment below each time)
- Subscribe to AskMamaMOE.com (leave your e-mail in a comment below)
The giveaway will end at 11:59 PM on April 3rd, 2014. The lucky winners will be notified by e-mail. Open to Canadian residents only. Remember to include your e-mail in all entries!
Good luck to all!
PS Whoever wins is going to have a blast!
PPS For more information on the two Harlem Globetrotters shows April 4th and 5th, visit Evenko.ca
Now that my kids are old enough to go to the game, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring them to see the Harlem Globetrotters. I’ll be thinking of you, Dad!
Disclosure: I was given tickets to attend the Harlem Globetrotters game. All opinions, as always are my own.
6 comments
Wow a family of 10 kids and his parents made sure they did sports. They made it work good for them. I agree with what he said about sports and what it can do for kids. It teaches them to be responsible
So cool xoxo
Wow, amazing:)
Can we go please????
I’d love to go!!
It’s so true that team sports prepare kids for the real world… relationships, tolerance, leadership… all qualities that are so important and are so lacking. Even more reason to keep activity, sport and play alive in schools and family life!
@beth_beecher