Doing Our Part

Just about over a month ago Dayna and I went to Jamaica (not the Jamaica you are thinking about, the one in Queens) to attend our first Street 2 Street tournament. This would be just one of the ways that her and I would be lending our helping hand (with our orange wristbands!). To be completely honest, I had felt so many emotions before we went. I was nervous we were traveling to a place that was not exactly the safest. But most importantly, I was excited! I had heard so much about what a great experience these tournaments were and I could not wait to get the opportunity to experience one.

So, on a Saturday morning I woke up at 6:30 AM and got on a train and picked up Dayna at the next stop. We traveled for a little over an hour and arrived in Penn Station where we then walked a few blocks to get on the subway. We rode the F train to the last stop, Jamaica, Queens, where we were only a few blocks away from the site of the tournament. We then walked a few blocks to the tournament through a neighborhood that was interesting to say the least. 

When we got there all of the kids that would be playing in the tournament were sitting on the basketball courts listening to Gian Paul Gonzalez speak. Gonzalez was an NBA player who left to teach. He is credited with coining the phrase “All In”. You may have heard this (a lot I might add) when the Giants won the Super Bowl. Gonzalez was invited by the Giant’s Chaplin to come in and speak to them during Chapel before their big Christmas Eve game against the Jets. Gonzalez asked the team if they were “All In” for Christ, which turned in to “All In” for not only Christ but the game and everything else as well. 

On a side note, Dayna and I had the opportunity to meet the Chaplin who let us try on this bad boy! 

Anyway, back to the tournament. Once Gonzalez was done speaking it was time for the tournament to begin. Dayna and I walked around introducing ourselves to those that were volunteering for Street 2 Street and running the tournament. We passed out our wristbands to them and let them know the idea behind the contest. Everyone was really appreciative of everything that we were doing, and that made me feel good! We watched several games of basketball and cheered on the teams. We gave our wristbands to the players and took pictures of them sporting them. 

Overall, we had a great day. I really didn’t know what to expect, but I should have expected great things because it was great. I think that Street 2 Street is doing a terrific thing. I was glad to have been a part of it and I cannot wait to attend another tournament! For a full list of tournament dates check out the Street 2 Street website.

Here are a few shots from the day. Be sure to check out Street 2 Street’s Facebook for even more! 

You will have to check back next week to read Dayna’s take on the day!

About the Author: Jessica

A child of the social media generation, Jessica just speaks the language, plain and simple. This is exactly why we snapped her up fresh out of school, well actually before. When she’s not exploring the dark and dingy underground life in New York City, you can find her stalking (not really) her favorite celebrities for autographs and photos, going to Yankee games (we think that if she gets a paper cut, she will bleed pinstripe) and enjoying reality shows from her “hood,” The Housewives of New Jersey and Glee. A B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Broadcasting, Advertising and Public Relations and minor in Marketing and Digital Studio Art makes her our secret weapon. Serving as the Social Media Manager for The DSM Group means that Jessica gets to do what everyone wishes they can do – sit on Facebook and Twitter all day and call it work!

Who is DSM?

Simple. We are a full-service advertising, marketing and public relations agency who love what we do. Our work is driven by our passion, our work and our clients. We strive to offer our clients a full-service product, while maintaining an entirely personal and collaborative approach.

Want to know more? Visit out website (www.thedsmgroup.com), “Like” us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thedsmgroup), or “Follow” us on Twitter (@The_DSM_Group).