More Than 500 Deserving South Florida Families to Receive Thanksgiving Meals...

MIAMI, FL (November 11, 2008) – Alonzo Mourning, NBA All-Star and well-known philanthropist in the South Florida community, will give Thanksgiving a special meaning to families across South Florida this month as 533 Thanksgiving meals will be delivered to families who normally would not have a chance to enjoy this special family gathering around the table.

Mourning started "33 Thanksgivings" in the year 2000 and continues to make special door-to-door deliveries of complete Thanksgiving meals to families residing in underserved areas of South Florida. What started out eight years ago with deliveries to only 33 homes has since grown to 533 deliveries to families in need. Working in partnership with Publix Super Markets, Inc., UPS, and Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Mourning’s annual “33 Thanksgivings” event is an important part of the holiday tradition in South Florida giving more than 500 deserving families Thanksgiving meals they can enjoy together.

Alonzo Mourning Charities’ staff, numerous volunteers and UPS drivers will deliver 500 meals on Tuesday, November 25th from 9am to 2 pm, departing from Publix Super Markets at 2270 SW 27th Ave., Miami, 33145, allowing families time to prepare their meals before Thanksgiving Day. The Thanksgiving meals that will be provided will include a fully cooked turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, bread rolls, stuffing, cranberry orange relish, one gallon of iced tea, and pumpkin pie – a complete spread for each family!

On Tuesday, November 25th at 4:00 pm, the San Juan Bosco Learning Leadership Center in Little Havana will welcome Mourning and his staff as they will host a pre-Thanksgiving event in which 50 select families will receive complete meals, enjoy food and games as well as a private autograph signing with Mourning.

Mourning will continue his family tradition by personally delivering 33 meals to select families on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27th from 9am to 12pm, departing from Publix Super Markets at 2270 SW 27th Ave., Miami, 33145. The lucky families to receive meals are selected from the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, a program of Alonzo Mourning Charities.

“This is a special time for everyone involved – we get to knock on doors and shower families with all the holiday fixings. We are indeed thankful that we have the opportunity to do this,” said Mourning. “While we cannot give these families all they deserve, we must give them all we can and it is our privilege to do so this Thanksgiving.”

For more information on how you can contribute or to volunteer your organization, please contact Nile Patrick at Alonzo Mourning Charities at 305/476-0095 or Nile@AMCharities.org <mailto:Nile@AMCharities.org>.

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<font color="#808080"><div style="font-size: 150%;">EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT EVENING CELEBRATED THE PUBLICATION OF ALONZO MOURNING’S “RESILIENCE”</div>

_Mourning and Friends from the Sports and Entertainment World Gathered for an Unforgettable Event_

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ALPINE, NJ (September 25, 2008) – Alonzo Mourning, NBA star, transplant survivor and national philanthropist, is beginning a new stage in his life—he’s being published! After years of success on the court, overcoming a life-threatening disease and undergoing a kidney transplant, and raising millions of dollars to fund youth initiatives supported by Alonzo Mourning Charities, Mourning is sharing his experiences, trials and triumphs through the publication of “RESILIENCE” by Alonzo Mourning.

Mourning and his closest friends from the sports and entertainment world gathered last Friday, September 19th, 2008 at a star-studded celebration of the publication of “RESILIENCE,” the NBA champion’s memoir scheduled to go on sale at the end of this month. The exciting and memorable evening held to commemorate Mourning’s personal milestone was an invitation-only event in Alpine, New Jersey, hosted by long-time supporters Lenora and John Klein and Sheilagh and Anthony Cirillo.

Guests included Tracy Wilson Mourning, Wife and Founder of Honey Shine Mentoring Program, a program of Alonzo Mourning Charities; Dwyane Wade, NBA Star of the Miami Heat and recent Olympic Gold Medalist; Quentin Richardson, NBA Star of the New York Knicks; Nate Robinson, NBA Star of the New York Knicks; Ed Lover, Power 105.1 FM NYC Morning Show Host; John Starks, Former NBA Player; Patrick Ewing, Former NBA Player; Earl Monroe, Former NBA Player; Herb Williams, Former NBA Player and Coach; Craig Sager, Reporter for The NBA on TNT; Curtis Martin, Former NFL Player; Malaak Compton-Rock, Chris Rock’s wife; and more.

A philanthropist who is extremely successful at helping countless numbers of children and families in communities across the country, Mourning shares the hardships he’s endured and survived in his new book “RESILIENCE.” From petitioning himself into foster care as a ten-year-old, to studying his way onto the Dean's list at Georgetown, surviving an incurable and degenerative kidney disease and transplant, as well as battling his way to superstar status in the NBA, Mourning has become a six-foot, ten-inch symbol of hope and strength to many.

“I know that in sharing my story through this autobiography I can inspire others,” said Mourning. “My life experiences, documented through these memoirs you will read, not only formed and molded me into who I am today, but they definitely had an impact on so many other people's lives as well.”

The exclusive benefit party that celebrated the upcoming debut of “RESILIENCE” had Mourning’s friends and fans lined up for one-on-one time with him as he signed copies of his book that each attendee received, snapped photos, and individually spoke with everyone. Mourning also publicly thanked those mentioned in his book including Patrick Ewing who was enjoying the evening. The event also included a VIP reception, cocktails, dinner, dancing and a live auction and raffle featuring roundtrip airline tickets to Europe, an autographed Mourning jersey, and much more. The event raised more than $125,000 which benefited Alonzo Mourning Charities and the Foundation for Autism Training and Education (FATE).