On October 17, Vice Consuls Andy Armstrong and Sunil Ravi coordinated with representatives from the NBA and the Phoenix Suns to organize visits to a local hospital and school. The Phoenix Suns were represented by their mascot “Go the Gorilla” and two members of the Phoenix Suns Dance Team. The group first visited the pediatric ward of the Hospital Universitario “Jose E. Gonzalez,” where they made individual visits to patients. The Gorilla and the dancers cheered the young children and presented them with gifts and laughter.

The Phoenix Suns Gorilla gives a mini gorilla to a patient in the hospital

The Phoenix Suns Gorilla with two young patients

The Suns Dancers and the Gorilla with more of the young patients of the hospital

The Gorilla and Hospital staff

The Gorilla with the pediatric ward staff

 After the hospital visit, the group proceeded to Ciudad de los Niños, a private school that serves underprivileged children in Monterrey. Upon arriving at Ciudad de los Niños, the Gorilla and the dancers were welcomed by the Director of the School and then met with the students. As part of their “Read to Achieve” program, the Gorilla acted out one of the stories from his “Gorilla Book” as the dancers read it out aloud to the students. The “Read to Achieve” program aims to encourage young people to develop a life-long love of reading. After concluding the reading activity, the Gorilla and the dancers proceeded to the courtyard where they participated in a tree- planting activity with the students. Pronatura Noreste, an organization dedicated to protecting the environment, donated the tree saplings that were used for the planting.

The Suns Gorilla planting a tree with kids

The Suns Gorilla salutes the children at Ciudad de los ninos (city of Children)

The Suns Gorilla helping to plant trees at Ciudad de los Ninos

The Phoenix Suns Gorilla serving the kids with breakfast

The children of Ciudad de los Ninos and the Suns Dancers with the Gorilla

The Consulate General and the NBA also hosted a joint reception on the evening of October 17, at the Consul General, Bruce Williamson’s residence, for NBA staff, team players, and local contacts.  Consul General Williamson welcomed the NBA and the basketball teams to Mexico and expressed the Consulate’s satisfaction with this great showing of American Sportsmanship and social responsibility. 

Alvin Gentry coach phoenix Suns, Eddie Jordan coach Philadelphia 76ers, U.S. Consul General Bruce Williamson and his Wife.

The Teams Suns and 76ers during the reception

Steve Nash, Consul General Bruce Williamson and Amar'e Stoudemire

Alvin Gentry coach Phoenix Suns and Consul General Bruce Williamson

 If you like to obtain these images in a higer relosution, please email your request to: imagescongen@gmail.com and mention the photograph you need.

Si desea obtener estas imagenes en alta resolución, por favor solicitelas a: imagescongen@gmail.com y mencione la fotografía que necesita.