ALONZO MOURNING

Miami Heat legend Alonzo Mourning helped to launch a scholarship in the name of that young man, Zedekiah Peacock, who often played the keyboard in his church.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic was the runaway MVP this season, which made it a virtual certainty that he would also be an All-NBA first-team selection.

MIAMI – With Thanksgiving around the corner, South Florida is doing what South Florida always does and helping to feed those in need. 77-year-old Pablo Loffredo was one of many people lined up in Hialeah Monday morning for their turkey giveaway; some by car, some on foot. “I live over there in that building and it’s been very difficult.”MORE: Where are giveaways for turkeys, Thanksgiving food? The difficultly has been felt across the board, and local elected officials have been active in trying to help struggling families. Music was going and bells were ringing as the former NBA superstar and his wife Tracy, along with several volunteers, handed out holiday meals to grateful families.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Heat made it a special Veterans Day for three local vets and their families. Heat greats Alonzo Mourning, Glen Rice and Shane Battier joined a caravan of team personnel to visit and honor veterans around South Florida on Wednesday. The first stop was the home of Tony Collins in Miami Gardens. “I was expecting someone to come and inspect the house,” Collins said. Collins is a veteran, and we just want to acknowledge him today on Veterans Day and thank him for the sacrifices he has made for our country,” Mourning said.

MIAMI – Amid the coronavirus recession, hunger is now threatening many more families in Miami. Charles Lee volunteered to load grocery bags into cars during a food giveaway event on Wednesday at Gibson Park in Overtown. Mourning, better known to Overtown residents as Miami Heat’s “ZO,” partnered with Farm Share, a food bank that collects donations from local farmers. Luis Dickson a community distribution coordinator for Farm Share, said the punitive economic effects of the pandemic have increased the demand for food banks. “People still need food and that’s why we are out here.”For more information about food distribution events and about how to contribute to ongoing efforts, visit the Farm Share site.

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shouts from the bench in the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

MIAMI – As economists warn more people will be unemployed in the coming weeks and months, some wealthy celebrities and athletes are stepping up to help their communities. In Miami, Alonzo Mourning and Gloria and Emilio Estefan are determined to fight hunger. “Everyone is helping out,” Gloria Estefan said. “And we thought, ‘What better way than to feed them.’ We've got great food that we can share,” Gloria Estefan said. “We're going to Jackson to Baptist to police and fire and we're going to do it 7 days a week for the next 30 days for sure,” Gloria Estefan said.

Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade reacts during a ceremony for his jersey retirement at halftime as the Heat host the Cleveland Cavaliers in an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Miami. “I could have gone on for an hour,” Wade said following the ceremony at halftime of the Heat's 124-105 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. “At that moment I felt your love,” Wade told the crowd. “Kobe said the most important thing is to try to inspire others so they can be great in whatever they choose to do,” Wade told the crowd. “I hope I've inspired all of you.”Wade played 14 1/2 of his 16 NBA seasons with the Heat.

MIAMI – Retired NBA player Alonzo Mourning brought some musical flair to the Overtown Youth Center Thursday, bringing in some big names from the world of classical music to show off their abilities and inspire children at the center. About 20 students from Booker T. Washington Senior High School and Jose De Diego Middle School were treated to the sounds of classical violist David Aaron Carpenter and his siblings, Sean and Lauren. The trio also took some special requests from the students, playing popular pieces from Beethoven and Mozart. "If you put work, effort and time in what you want to do, it will be accomplished. All proceeds will support the Overtown Youth Foundation.