Early in his NBA career, Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris budgeted $5,000 to buy Christmas gifts for needy children.
When his father, Torrel, returned from the store, Harris was stunned that the money couldn't purchase more, so another $5,000 was added to the haul.
"On Christmas Day, he went out with all the gifts and knocked on all the doors, and we had two trucks with bikes and everything, and he felt so good with the smiles and happiness on all the kids' faces," Torrel Harris said this week.
Since coming to Detroit from the Orlando Magic before the Feb. 2016 trade deadline, Harris has answered the bell when it comes to community service.
Continuing outreach he started in his hometown New York City area and in Orlando, Harris brings a thoughtful approach to charity.
Take the event with his father Tuesday afternoon: The Harris family partnered with the Detroit Police Department and others nonprofits to give away 500 turkeys at the Imperial Fresh Market located on Detroit's west side.
Not a Meijer. Not a Whole Foods. A grocery story that serves the inner city was the site chosen for the giveaway.
"That was the biggest thing _ doing it in this area," Harris said. "We knew the people that were coming truly needed turkeys and will be able to sit down with family and enjoy that time."
