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Lin, Korean Laker Girl Sujan Pang show Thanksgiving spirit

November 26, 2014

Jeremy Lin was one of two Los Angeles Lakers players handing out food to families in need at the Thanksgiving event on Tuesday. (Korea Times)

By Brian Han

The Los Angeles Lakers cosponsored the Miracle on Manchester Thanksgiving Distribution event at The Salvation Army in Inglewood, Los Angeles on Tuesday to provide food for 300 families in need.

Present at the outreach effort were Lakers’ guard Jeremy Lin and forward Ed Davis along with Korean Laker Girl Sujan Pang and a handful of other members from the dance squad.

“These types of events help us show the community that [the players] are down-to-earth people while also helping families who need a little bit extra to get through the holidays,” Lin said.

Laker Girls Sujan Pang and Blake Blankenship handed out pies during the event. (Korea Times)

“The Laker Girls involvement in holiday and any other community event is very important,” said Lakers Director of Game Operations and Entertainment Lisa Estrada. “We want to make sure that the people of Southern California, not to mention the Lakers fans, know that we support them 100% and always will, just like we hope they support the Laker Girls, Lakers Players and our Lakers Organization.”

Laker Girls Sujan Pang and Blake Blankenship. (Korea Times)

This year marks the first time the team has chosen to involve themselves with this particular event.

“It’s an honor to be working with the Lakers this year. Miracle on Manchester has been going on for seven years and during that time we have served over 8,000 families,” said Lieutenant Michael Golden — a corps commanding officer along at the Inglewood location. “It is an honor and a pleasure to have some of the Lakers involved this year.”

Lin engaged with many of the individuals who were there to gather food.

“You play great, Lin, but you’re way smaller than I thought,” quipped one man as he was handed a frozen turkey. “I think we’re about the same height.”

“I bet I can jump higher than you though,” Lin said as they both shared a laugh.