karpasov
Well-Known Member
Hi JazzFanz friends, I have an incredible story (and a small favor to ask). It's hard even for me to believe it is really happening. I apologize ahead, there will be no sarcasm in this post.
In short, I was born in Israel and lived there all my life. I am a Jazz fan since age 12. 20 years ago I started an educational program for underprivileged "at-risk" youth. Basically we take kids from broken families that always saw themselves as failures, and give them new home plus the opportunity to change their life course and become successful and contributing leaders in society. once a year I am traveling to the US to try and raise much needed funding and support to the program. Last season I was fortunate enough to be in Detroit for the season opener. I even prepared a special shirt for the occasion -
I was even more fortunate to see Dennis Lindsey walking by me at half time. As soon as he saw my T-shirt he shook my hand and suggested I will write him an Email as he wants to send me a little gift as an appreciation for my long-distance fandom -
You can read more about my expirince in this lovely article Jody Gennesy wrote about it - https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642426/Fan-shows-his-long-distance-life-long-loyalty-to-Utah-Jazz-2-all-the-way-from-Israel.html
I was sooo thrilled and excited. In the mail I sent him I suggested that instead of sending a shirt or something to me , he can send it to the kids in our boarding school who really need these kind of things. I was astonished to receive, a month later, a whole box that came all the way from Utah to Israel, full with Jazz gear, mainly shirts and socks, for our students! All of us here, staff and teens were in shock and in excitement. you can see the picture of the kids with shirts here -
Anyway, I wrote him a thank you letter and sent the picture. He was so moved by it. It reminded him of his own family and parents who also devoted their lives to help kids in need. So he writes me back and invite me to be his guest in Vivint for a Jazz game the next time I'm in the US!! All of this happened last year. And now, next week actually, finally, as I am traveling to the States for another fundraising trip, I am going to not only fulfill a childhood dream in visiting Salt Lake City and attending a Jazz home game, but also be Dennis Lindsey guest!
I also cannot stress enough how kind and generous the Jazz organization treats me and the program. (for example, they already asked for the shirt sizes for the kids for the next box. and there are many more things like it). In a way, this is exactly how imagined the Jazz character would be on those matters. I mean, if there is a 'personality' to a team, than I see my Jazz as this kind, team oriented organization, on the court and apparently off it as well.And Dennis - what can I say about him. I had so much respect for him before this all begun , now I can say I appreciate him much much more as a manager and as a human being ( I see these two things inter-wind)
I decided to make this trip a whole personal experience for me and meet as many fans, media and Jazz connected people I can. I will be in SLC on March 1st - 3rd. I will attend the Wolves game and the Nets game.
Since I became a member in this forum I became a true Jazz fan with, at last, a real community (no Jazz fans in Israel.. almost) so I want to thank you guys and also ask if anyone will want to meet me for a high five or something, or if you have any suggestions/ideas for me to make this SLC trip special. Also if you would know anyone that might be interested in helping the kids in my program I would love to hear.
Thanks guys
Gilad (Karpasov)
In short, I was born in Israel and lived there all my life. I am a Jazz fan since age 12. 20 years ago I started an educational program for underprivileged "at-risk" youth. Basically we take kids from broken families that always saw themselves as failures, and give them new home plus the opportunity to change their life course and become successful and contributing leaders in society. once a year I am traveling to the US to try and raise much needed funding and support to the program. Last season I was fortunate enough to be in Detroit for the season opener. I even prepared a special shirt for the occasion -
I was even more fortunate to see Dennis Lindsey walking by me at half time. As soon as he saw my T-shirt he shook my hand and suggested I will write him an Email as he wants to send me a little gift as an appreciation for my long-distance fandom -
You can read more about my expirince in this lovely article Jody Gennesy wrote about it - https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642426/Fan-shows-his-long-distance-life-long-loyalty-to-Utah-Jazz-2-all-the-way-from-Israel.html
I was sooo thrilled and excited. In the mail I sent him I suggested that instead of sending a shirt or something to me , he can send it to the kids in our boarding school who really need these kind of things. I was astonished to receive, a month later, a whole box that came all the way from Utah to Israel, full with Jazz gear, mainly shirts and socks, for our students! All of us here, staff and teens were in shock and in excitement. you can see the picture of the kids with shirts here -
Anyway, I wrote him a thank you letter and sent the picture. He was so moved by it. It reminded him of his own family and parents who also devoted their lives to help kids in need. So he writes me back and invite me to be his guest in Vivint for a Jazz game the next time I'm in the US!! All of this happened last year. And now, next week actually, finally, as I am traveling to the States for another fundraising trip, I am going to not only fulfill a childhood dream in visiting Salt Lake City and attending a Jazz home game, but also be Dennis Lindsey guest!
I also cannot stress enough how kind and generous the Jazz organization treats me and the program. (for example, they already asked for the shirt sizes for the kids for the next box. and there are many more things like it). In a way, this is exactly how imagined the Jazz character would be on those matters. I mean, if there is a 'personality' to a team, than I see my Jazz as this kind, team oriented organization, on the court and apparently off it as well.And Dennis - what can I say about him. I had so much respect for him before this all begun , now I can say I appreciate him much much more as a manager and as a human being ( I see these two things inter-wind)
I decided to make this trip a whole personal experience for me and meet as many fans, media and Jazz connected people I can. I will be in SLC on March 1st - 3rd. I will attend the Wolves game and the Nets game.
Since I became a member in this forum I became a true Jazz fan with, at last, a real community (no Jazz fans in Israel.. almost) so I want to thank you guys and also ask if anyone will want to meet me for a high five or something, or if you have any suggestions/ideas for me to make this SLC trip special. Also if you would know anyone that might be interested in helping the kids in my program I would love to hear.
Thanks guys
Gilad (Karpasov)
