On Christmas Day 2023, the Knicks and Verizon surprised a special Garden of Dreams family at center court during the Knicks game with a life-changing gift of $30,000 and a year of free internet.
Garden of Dreams invited Charlie Pena and his family to attend the Knicks Christmas Day game from a catered suite, but when they headed out to the court for what they thought was a fan contest, they instead received a check from Knicks alum Carmelo Anthony for $30,000.
Charlie, who has been a part of the Garden of Dreams Foundation for over 15 years when he was living at Foundation Partner organization Ronald McDonald House and battling sickle-cell anemia, now has a family of his own (a medical miracle)!
His three daughters are now also battling the same illness as their father, and Charlie was recently diagnosed with cancer. The support from Verizon will provide relief for costs such as medical bills and essential needs. It was truly the best way to cap off Season of Giving!