Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, the Washington Mystics (WNBA), Washington Valor (AFL) and the Baltimore Brigade (AFL) adopted eight families from The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command for their third annual Family-to-Family Christmas in July shopping trip. Mystics players Ariel Atkins and Myisha Hines-Allen, Valor players James Atoe and Fredrick Obi and Brigade players Jarell Broxton and Nias Martin shopped at the H Street Walmart Supercenter for school supplies, school uniforms, books and educational toys for Washington, D.C., families from Ward 8 on July 2. MSE Foundation purchased all the items, including gift cards for each family.





On July 17, Mystics players Atkins, Hines-Allen and Kiara Leslie; Valor head coach Benji McDowell, players Atoe and Obi and mascot Blitz; and Brigade players Joe Goosby and Caylon Weathers hosted the adopted families at a Christmas in July-themed party at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center at St. Elizabeths East. The families were treated to lunch courtesy of Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company, played games and mingled with the players and had family caricatures drawn of them. At the end of the party, each family opened and took home their presents.

The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command serves anyone in crisis in the District, Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. Whether it’s a hot meal, help with paying a bill or a more long-term solution, every county in the region includes either a Salvation Army Corps or field office ready to help.